Rapid COVID-19 Tests Available to Richardson ISD Students During School

RICHARDSON (WBAP/KLIF) – Rapid COVID-19 testing is now available for Richardson ISD students.

The school district is participating in a state of Texas program that provides a limited number of rapid antigen screening tests to participating districts. The in-school screening program began Tuesday and is available to employees and students who develop COVID-19 symptoms while at school during the school day. The optional screenings can be provided at no cost to students with parent consent.

The program begins as Dallas county is experiencing a rise in COVID-19 cases.

“We do remain at the red risk level, the highest level of community transmission,” Dallas County Medical Director Phil Huang said Tuesday.

The district is using the BinaxNOW rapid antigen test. To collect a specimen for this screening, a staff member, or older student, will place a swab, similar to a Q-Tip, inside the tip of the nose. A school staff member who has been trained to use this test will collect the specimen and a trained COVID-19 screening administrator will oversee the process. The results will be sent by text message and email, usually within 24 hours of the test.

A completed consent form is required for each student to be eligible to receive a screening test. Parents with multiple RISD students will need to complete a consent form for each student they would like to be eligible.