Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022 COVID-19 | FROM PAGE 14 as asymptomatic close contacts and repeatedly tested in school K-12 positivity source: CIC K-12 data from processing laboratories, published on a weekly basis on Thursdays through the Test and Stay program test negative over 90% of the time. As of January 9, 503,312 Test and Stay tests had been conducted; 496,440 of them were negative (98.6%). It’s also helpful to look at nationwide data related to Test and Stay to examine the extent to which secondary transmission (i.e., transmission to close contacts) is occurring in schools. The evidence from California and Illinois cited by the CDC in their Test to Stay guidance noted secondary transmission rates of only 0.71.5%. A pre-publication study of the fi rst 13 weeks of the Test and Stay program across all participating Massachusetts schools found that the secondary transmission rate was 2.9% and that tertiary transmission was very low. As demonstrated above, test positivity rates in Test and Stay indicate that individuals identifi ed as close contacts in school are very unlikely to contract or spread COVID-19. These data show that transmission from close contacts is a rare occurrence in schools and that, therefore, extensive contact tracing and associated Test and Stay procedures are not adding significant value as a mitigation strategy despite the demand they place on the time of school health staff and school staff at large. As a result, we are recommending that school health personnel increase their focus on identifying symptomatic individuals, rather than monitoring in-school close contacts who are unlikely to contract or spread the virus. The new set of testing options described below, which includes a weekly at-home test for participating staff and students, will uniquely support this shift in focus. Other New England states, such as Connecticut and Vermont, have recently transitioned from individualized contact tracing to the use of at-home tests and focusing school health efforts on symptomatic testing. New COVID Testing Options to Optimize In-Person Learning To enable districts and schools to make the shift towards greater focus of school health personnel on identifying symptomatic individuals and other aspects of COVID-19 management, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the Executive Offi ce of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), and the Department of Public Health (DPH) will now provide a new option within the statewide testing program to optimize in-person learning. Specifically, districts and schools participating in symptomatic and/or pooled testing may choose to continue those testing strategies and discontinue contact tracing and Test and Stay. As an additional resource, districts and schools that elect to make this change will be provided with rapid antigen at-home tests for all participating staff and students that can be used on a weekly basis. WIN WASTE | FROM PAGE 13 lationship so that the Town may better benefi t from the company’s presence. We understand, expect and would of course insist that any formal proposal would have to be reviewed and approved by both the Town and the state,” the letter said. “If and when a formal proposal is forthcoming, we would encourage all members of our community to review and comment because inclusiveness will yield better results, as it always does.” In closing, the committee members said they “continue the valuable work that has been ongoing for the last 14 months to ensure the Town receives and maximizes the opportunities that exist due to what we hope will be a new day in the relationship between the Town and company with signifi cant economic, environmental and community value to Saugus.” Cash Pay Guaranteed! "If it snows, you'll be working!" FRANK’S Housepainting (781) 289-0698 • Exterior • Ceiling Dr. • Power Wash • Paper Removal • Carpentry FREE ESTIMATES — Fully Insured Frank Berardino MA License 31811 • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount “Proper prep makes all the difference” – F. Ferrera • Interior We follow Social Distancing Guidelines!
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