Test to Stay Information
Hickman County Schools, in conjunction with Wild Health, will begin a free “test-to-stay” program on campus starting Monday, December 6th. This will give students and staff who have been in direct contact with a positive COVID-19 case an option instead of having to quarantine and miss school along with other activities.
This program is completely voluntary, and testing will not be conducted unless the District has informed consent from the appropriate person, parent, or guardian. This program is supported by state funds so there is no cost to you or the school district. Participants in this program will be able to remain at school following a COVID-19 exposure if they test negative for five consecutive school days.
Who is eligible for the Test-to-Stay program?
- Test-to-stay will only be used on entirely asymptomatic (zero symptoms), non-vaccinated individuals identified as close contact to a COVID-19 positive case.
- Students and staff are eligible for test-to-stay regardless of whether their close contact was at school or somewhere else; however, they are not eligible for the program if they are in a state of “continuous exposure” to that case—such as in a household with a positive family member.
- Wearing a mask while participating in the Test-To-Stay program is not required, but is strongly recommended.
Test-to-Stay Protocol
- Rapid antigen testing will be performed each day the child is at school for five consecutive school days.
- Those wishing to be tested must come to the front door of the board office at 7:00 a.m. and are asked to maintain a 6-foot social distance. Personnel from Wild Health will swab the anterior part of the nostrils. After being tested, individuals will exit the side door of the board office and wait in their vehicles for test results. Those testing negative will be given admission slips so they may go to school. Proof of a negative result is required before students or staff can enter any building on campus.
- If a test is positive, the individual will be sent home to isolate immediately.
- Participants in the Test-to-Stay program will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms daily.
- Participants in the program that refuse to take their scheduled test will be sent home immediately to quarantine following the standard quarantine guidelines listed below.
How do I give consent for my child to participate in the Test-to-Stay program?
- You have to register with our vendor, Wild Health, to be eligible, but it is an easy process that can be done both electronically and by paper method. We will be sending home those sheets to interested parents when exposure takes place. The link to register electronically will be on Facebook and the website. Forms can be returned to the board office on the day of testing. If you are quarantined and haven’t signed up, you still can test, but it is a much easier process if you do it ahead of time if you think you are interested in the program. The tests are similar to the home tests and are not painful.
- An individual will not be tested unless they are registered and parent permission has been received by the school and/or Wild Health.
- If you plan to participate, it is important to register early to maximize program benefits.
Quarantine Guidelines
- Unvaccinated persons identified as a close contact with someone who has COVID-19 must self-quarantine for 10 days after the exposure. The individual may return to school on day 11 if symptom free.
- If symptom free on day 5, the individual can take a COVID-19 PCR antigen test to shorten their quarantine. If the test is negative, the individual may return to school on day 8.
- Those choosing to participate in the Test-to-Stay program may continue with in-person instruction by following the test to stay protocol described above.
- Fully vaccinated persons identified as a close contact do not have to quarantine if they are symptom free.