Del. health officials announce $15 million partnership to provide COVID-19 testing in schools

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Public Health has 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.

We’re told rapid antigen tests will be used to provide on-the-spot results in as little as 10 minutes. Frequent testing helps quickly identify COVID-19 cases, prevent transmission, and keep schools open.

This service is free to schools and staff and results are reported back to families within 24 hours.

“Antigen testing facilitates our quick identification of cases, which in turn will help keep our classrooms open to in-person learning,” said Secretary of Education Susan Bunting. “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.”

This testing service is aimed at testing asymptomatic staff and students as a routine process. Staff and students who have symptoms are reminded to stay home and seek testing at one of the state’s available testing sites. Quidel and DPH will coordinate follow-up testing and results reporting for any student who receives a positive result from the rapid antigen test.

If you would like to learn more about this program, you can find all the details here.