ABILENE, Texas — According to district officials in the next few weeks, the Abilene Independent School District plans to receive 5,000 COVID-19 rapid tests administer on campus to those staff and students who are showing signs of COVID-19.
"The goal of this program is to keep our schools safe, and our campuses open" said AISD Associate Superintendent Dr. Gustavo Villanueva.
According to Villanueva, with help from the Texas Education Agency, AISD will be allotted 5,000 COVID-19 rapid tests each month to administer on campus to students and staff. The district says they plan to roll out the tests in phases.
According to district officials, students will need parent approval before receiving a test which will be done by the nurse on campus.
"We are going to be testing more than we have been testing in Abilene, I have no doubt that will have an impact on the numbers." Said Villanueva.
Results will be shared with parents, and reported to the Taylor County Health District.