Students and staff in Simcoe-Muskoka are starting to undergo asymptomatic COVID-19 testing this week.
That means they are not showing any symptoms of the virus.
The testing is part of the updated health and safety measures announced by the Ministry of Education.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce has ordered the tests be carried out in at least five per cent of schools every week.
The boards, ministry and local health units will have input on the schools selected for testing.
Asymptomatic testing of students and staff is completely voluntary and parent/guardian consent is required for students under 18.
Staff from Lifelabs will administer the (PCR) nasal swab test, which is less-invasive and uses a shorter Q-tip-like swab that doesn’t reach as far back in the nasal passage.
The asymptomatic testing program is expected to run every Wednesday at a different school for the next nine weeks.
Parents/guardians will receive registration and consent information directly from their child’s school when a testing clinic will be offered to their school community.
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