Public health partners with Quidel for COVID testing in schools

The Division of Public Health announced a $15 million partnership with the Department of Education and Quidel Corporation to provide comprehensive COVID-19 testing, processing and reporting in Delaware schools.

Quidel will utilize its rapid antigen tests to provide on-the-spot results in as little as 10 minutes. Frequent testing helps immediately identify COVID-19 cases, prevent transmission and keep schools open.

While the availability of testing in schools is not new in Delaware, this service, which is free to schools and staff, is a complete turn-key solution that includes providing Quidel staff to conduct on-site testing, analyze results and report them to families and the state, taking the burden away from schools. Results are reported to families within 24 hours.

“When used alongside other prevention strategies, like distancing and face masks, testing creates an additional level of reassurance that it is safe to keep schools open,” said Dr. Rick Pescatore, DPH chief physician. “This program allows schools the best of both worlds, being able to identify potential cases early while continuing to focus on the business of learning.”

Screening testing continues to be an important mitigation strategy, which was again recommended in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recently updated Guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools.

"Antigen testing facilitates our quick identification of cases, which in turn will help keep our classrooms open to in-person learning," said Susan Bunting, Delaware secretary of education. "I appreciate the ongoing support of the Division of Public Health in ensuring that our schools remain open and safe for both students and staff."

DPH, DOE and Quidel have already launched the initiative at five pilot schools for their summer school students and staff. Three participating schools are in the Colonial School District, one in the Christina School District and Odyssey Charter School. Quidel can expand the program to all 350 of the state’s K-12 public, private and charter schools when classrooms fully reopen for the fall semester. Under the program, parental permission is required for students to participate.

This testing service is meant to be a routine process aimed at testing asymptomatic staff and students. Those who have COVID-19 symptoms are reminded to stay home and seek testing at one of Delaware’s available sites, which can be located at de.gov/gettested. Quidel and DPH will coordinate follow-up testing and results reporting for any student who receives a positive result from the rapid antigen test.

“Quidel is proud to partner with the State of Delaware in the development and launch of this comprehensive testing protocol to support the state’s safe reopening of classrooms and efforts to protect students and school staff,” said Douglas Bryant, president and CEO of Quidel Corporation. “Vigilance in testing is the surest way to detect COVID-19 infections early and a crucial tool to help limit potential spread. Every day that we shut coronavirus down will be a day that we keep Delaware classrooms open.”

Schools and families that want to learn more about the program can go to dhsscovidschooltest.com/ or email Richard.Pescatore@delaware.gov.

For the latest on Delaware's response, go to de.gov/coronavirus.