Danvers Schools Could Have Rapid Coronavirus Testing In December

DANVERS, MA — Danvers Superintendent of Schools Lisa Dana said rapid coronavirus testing could begin in early December after the district was one of 134 across the state to receive phase one approval for in-school testing supplies this week.

"We are appreciative of this resource to add to our mitigation strategies," Dana told Patch. "It was encouraging this week to receive the notification that Danvers met the requirements to be part of phase one.

"Now, we are in the process of setting up the process to begin in early December."

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Director Jeffrey Riley said at a news conference on Wednesday that districts had to meet the criteria of having some in-person learning, having the ability to report tests and training for staff administrating those rapid tests.

"By testing students and teachers and getting results within minutes, we will be able to identify infected individuals and their close contacts more quickly and to help stop any spread," Riley said.

Tests will be provided to districts free of cost. Since the rapid test is less reliable than the molecular test, those who test positive will have a follow-up molecular test to confirm the results.

The testing news comes as coronavirus cases spiked in in the town over the past two weeks with positive cases rising from 62 two weeks ago to 112 in this week's most recent report.

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