If a symptomatic staff member tests negative on the rapid antigen test, the nurse or health assistant will run a confirmatory PCR test. A second nasal swab will be obtained, placed in a tube with a preservative medium and sent to a lab. The confirmatory PCR test may take a few days up to one week to complete. The school will notify the staff member immediately after the point of care testing is completed and the staff member must go home.  

If a symptomatic staff member tests positive on the rapid antigen test, they are considered positive and will be sent home to isolate for a minimum of 10 days. The staff member will be able to return after 10 days, and once symptoms have improved, and they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

By providing consent, you are consenting to sharing test results with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Howard County Health Department (HCHD) for contact tracing purposes only. 

Rapid antigen test results will be entered into the Chesapeake Regional Information System for Patients (CRISP) for MDH and HCHD to view. PCR test results will be entered into MAKO Medical Laboratory Provider Portal for HCHD to view.

Testing will not be available to staff in central offices (Department of Education building and annex buildings). HCPSS does not have nurses in these locations and cannot provide on-site testing. Central Office staff who present symptoms while in the office should go home and call their doctor.

School-based staff must print, complete and return this form to the school health room. School nurses and health assistants will have extra on hand if needed.

The COVID-19 Testing Program is voluntary and consent is required. If a school-based staff member or student develops COVID-like illness or are identified as close contacts while they are in a school building, they will be sent home regardless of whether or not they consent to the test.
 

Additional answers to frequently-asked-questions can be found online.

HCPSS is offering a voluntary K-12 COVID-19 Testing Program that will provide free COVID-19 tests for students and school-based staff who develop COVID-like symptoms or are identified as close contacts while they are in a school building. Parents/guardians should not send their children to school, and staff should not report to work if they are presenting COVID-like symptoms. 

The program includes two components:

Staff working with the DEC will work at an HCPSS building as their primary work location. Some meetings and professional learning will be conducted virtually. In some cases, DEC staff may be required to visit other HCPSS buildings to meet with students and staff as needed.

Update May 10, 2021

HCPSS staff interested in working for the DEC for the entire 2021-2022 school year were able to submit a DEC Voluntary Transfer Request form from April 12 through May 7. Questions may be sent to DEC@hcpss.org.