Vol 4, Issue 2   |  BACK TO SCHOOL

 

 

August 15, 2022

L2R Newsletter

Happy Monday! In this Back-to-School edition, we’re releasing our new Testing Menu and giving you helpful tips for how to place your first order of the school year.

Also included in this edition:

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What’s on the Menu?

COVID-19 rapid antigen tests laid out in pattern on light blue background.

The L2R Testing Menu is set for the 2022-2023 school year. We continue to provide a range of testing models and technologies to suit the needs of your school community. 

Here’s a breakdown of what we’re offering this school year:

Individual PCR

Diagnostic testing using the most reliable laboratory technology available. We have nasal AND saliva tests on the menu. Expect results between 24-72 hours. 

Learn more about these tests.

Pooled PCR

Use pooled testing to screen any number of cohorts, from classrooms to sports teams to performing arts groups. Expect results in 12-36 hours. 

Learn more about these tests.

Rapid antigen point-of-care (POC)

Used for diagnostic or screening purposes, these are the rapid antigen testing kits we all know and love. They deliver results in 15 minutes and can be used in the isolation room for diagnostic testing or for routine screening of various groups (e.g. athletics, performing arts, etc.).

Learn more about these tests.

Rapid antigen at-home (OTC)

These tests can be taken home by students and staff for their personal use. Hand these out to students before holidays or school breaks so that families have a diagnostic solution at home before returning to school. These can also be sent home with symptomatic students or staff so they have access to tests while isolating at home. 

Learn more about these tests.

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    How do I order testing supplies for the new school year?

    A hand emerges from a computer screen holding a package for delivery on a purple and yellow background

    The first day of school is just around the corner. Here are some important things to know before you make your first order.

    When should I place my first order?

    Schools are encouraged to place orders now to prepare for the start of the school year. 

    How many tests should I order?

    Please order enough tests to get you through the end of September. We encourage you to maintain a surplus of testing supplies to be prepared in the case of outbreaks or high demand for testing.

    What does the ordering form look like and what kinds of tests are available??

    Schools can use the School Test Request Ordering Portal to place their orders. Please reference the updated testing menu of options as you prepare your initial order.

    I don’t see my public school district, private, charter or Tribal school listed on the DOH School Test Request Form. How can I add it?

    If you do not see your location listed, please fill out the DOH Shipping Information Form with your shipping and contact information. Each district, private, charter or Tribal school may only have one location listed on the DOH School Test Request Form. Please note it could take up to 5 business days for it to appear on the drop-down list. 

    When will I receive tests after placing my order?

    The turnaround time for delivery continues to be 7-10 business days. After your order has been shipped, you will receive an email with tracking and shipping information. If your order has not been received after 10 business days, please reach out to your Health Commons Program Manager or ESD Coordinator for further support.

    DOH is committed to meet the needs of schools by continuing to improve the convenience and efficiency of our testing supply ordering and distribution. 

     

    Questions about the ordering process or how to manage your inventory? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at . 

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    What’s in the Toolbox?

    Young boy happily holding toy wrenches on yellow background

      We’ve got new and improved resources to help you and your team onboard any of the tests on our menu. 

      Here are a couple of highlights from the new L2R Toolbox:

      The Rapid Antigen Toolkit. A one stop shop for all of your rapid antigen testing technologies. This toolkit answers questions for each rapid antigen test like:

      • Do I need a Medical Test Site (MTS) License (also known as a CLIA Waiver)
      • How is consent collected?
      • What are the reporting requirements?
      • How do we use this test?

      Useful for: BinaxNOW Pro and iHealth OTC

      Download it here.

      The Curative Starter Pack. A collection of resources to help you quickly implement a PCR testing program with Curative and train new or returning staff. 

      Here’s what’s included in the pack:

      • Curative Toolkit. A lot of useful information in just a few pages. You’ll learn how to train testing observers, order testing kits, collect consent, administer tests, and more. 
      • DriveThru Portal Guide. This PowerPoint gives you step-by-step instructions (featuring video examples) for how to use the Curative online portal, including the best way to collect or bypass insurance.
      • Consent forms. A shared folder with downloadable consent forms in over 12 languages!

      Download the Curative Starter Pack. 

      We have a Starter Pack for all of our PCR testing vendors. Visit the new L2R Toolbox to explore them all.

      Cover page of the Curative Toolkit with young boy, arms flexed

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      Registration is now open for our Back-to-School virtual series!

      Featuring live trainings from these L2R testing vendors:

        The series kicks-off on Tuesday, August 23rd at 3:30pm PT with an introduction to Learn to Return for new school leaders, district nurses, and anyone who wants to learn about this free statewide program. 

        Then we turn things over to our testing vendors for a series of training sessions on August 29th, 30th, and 31st at 1pm PT. See which vendors are hosting.

        During these sessions, you will learn how to:  

        • Order supplies 
        • Collect samples
        • Ship samples to labs 
        • Use the online portals 
        • Collect or bypass insurance 
        • Collect consent
        REGISTER NOW!

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        Have you seen the new DOH guidance?

        Young African American girl in a red dress holding up a plastic red bullhorn.

          DOH has released updated K-12 guidance for the 2022-2023 school year. These requirements and recommendations help reduce the spread of COVID-19, limit outbreaks, and minimize interruptions to school life.

          Read the DOH press release.

          Here are the key takeaways:

          • Students or staff who test positive for COVID-19 must stay home and isolate for 5 days. Repeating initial tests does not change this requirement. See What to do if a person is symptomatic for more information. See page 2.
          • Students or staff returning from 5 days of isolation should wear a well-fitted mask from days 6 to 10. Students and staff are also encouraged to test before returning to school. See page 6.
          • If students or staff continue to test positive for COVID-19 after day 5, they must isolate for the full 10 days. See page 6.
          • Schools are no longer required to notify high risk students and staff of exposure but must continue to have a process in place to inform students, staff, and families when there are cases or outbreaks in school. See page 3.
          • The “test to stay” program is no longer a part of the recommendation section; however, testing protocols remain an important tool to ensure safe in-person learning. See page 10. 
          • Schools are required to respond to outbreaks. All suspected outbreaks (3 or more cases within a specified core group) must be reported to your local health jurisdiction. See page 4. 

          Check out the DOH Guidance Brief for Schools for more details. 

          Letter to Parents/Caretakers

          DOH has also provided a template to help schools communicate these updates to parents and caretakers. The School COVID-19 Guidance Parent/Caretaker Letter helps families better understand the guidance and what to expect for the upcoming school year.

          Translations Available Soon

          The K-12 Guidance, school guidance brief, and letter to parents/caretakers will be translated into additional languages to increase accessibility. Materials for schools and childcare staff will be translated into Spanish, Somali, and Russian. Materials for families with children in both K-12 and childcare settings will be translated into 36 languages. These translated materials are expected in late August.  We will alert you when these are available!

          If you have any questions, please contact the COVID-19 information hotline by dialing 1-800-525-0127, then press # or email your questions to . 

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          COVID News

          Global COVID deaths down 9% since last week, WHO reports

          The Seattle Times – August 10, 2022. The number of coronavirus deaths fell by 9% in the last week while new cases remained relatively stable, according to the latest weekly pandemic report released by the World Health Organization Wednesday.

          Washington says goodbye to most COVID emergency orders

          Axios – August 9, 2022. The end of the vast majority of the state’s COVID-19 emergency orders shows how government mandates are taking a backseat at this stage of the pandemic, letting business owners and individuals decide for themselves which precautions to follow.

          Fall outlook on COVID-19 vaccines, variants, monkeypox

          American Medical Association – August 10, 2022. Dr. Peter Hotez, professor of pediatrics and molecular and virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, explains why people shouldn’t wait until the fall to get their SARS-Cov-2 vaccine booster dose.

          Let’s Talk about COVID-19 Boosters

          CNN – August 10, 2022. “If you are 18 and older and have not yet had any vaccines beyond your primary vaccination, you should get your booster now,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician and professor of health policy and management at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health.

          MIT researchers create test to predict COVID immunity; Harvard scientists develop test for both virus and antibodies

          The Seattle Times – August 10, 2022. MIT scientists on Tuesday announced they’ve developed a blood test that may predict COVID-19 immunity. The announcement came a day after Harvard researchers said they’ve built a saliva test that detects the presence of both antibodies and the virus.

          Millions of Americans have long COVID. Many of them are no longer working

          NPR – July 31, 2022. As the number of people with post-COVID symptoms soars, researchers and the government are trying to get a handle on how big an impact long COVID is having on the U.S. workforce. It’s a pressing question, given the fragile state of the economy.

          Fauci warns of ‘trouble’ for those with BA.5 variant if not up to date on vaccines

          Washington Post – August 5, 2022. Anthony S. Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, said he understands people are exhausted, but is urging those who are not up to date on the vaccines to get the shots — this time, as the latest omicron subvariant, BA.5, has become the dominant strain in the United States.

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