CDC Endorses COVID-19 Test-to-Stay Options for Schools

Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two reports in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report highlighting the use of test-to-stay practices used in schools to minimize absenteeism and learning loss which can occur during traditional quarantine at home.

The CDC has added information on test-to-stay practices in its K-12 Transmission Science Brief and its K-12 webpages. Test-to-stay, according to the CDC, is another valuable tool in a layered prevention strategy that includes promoting vaccination of eligible students and staff, requiring everyone ages two and older to wear a mask indoors, keeping at least three feet of physical distance between students, screening testing, ventilation, handwashing, and staying home when sick.

The CDC continues to recommend everyone ages 5 and older receive a COVID-19 vaccine to protect against SARS-CoV-2. Adolescents ages 16 and older can get a booster dose at least six months after a primary series.

Additional information is available here.