(Sept. 23, 2021, 8:40 p.m.) -- LBUSD management has announced that it will leave 90% of its unvaccinated students -- including those under age 12 who aren't eligible for vaccination yet -- untested for COVID-19 each week. The action effectively puts 90% of LBUSD elementary school children in indoor classrooms among other children who are unvaccinated and untested each week.
"The strategy of testing a representative sample will allow us to gather reliable data while minimizing the burden of testing among students and schools," wrote Superintendent Jill Baker, Ed.D in an announcement letter to LBUSD's community. "This approach to testing fits within the national Centers for Disease Control’s guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools."
But LBUSD's policy contrasts with the L.A. Unified School District that requires weekly COVID-19 tests for its enrolled students. LAUSD's COVID-19 webpage states: "Los Angeles Unified is providing COVID testing for all students and staff. All students and employees, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, returning for in-person instruction must participate in ongoing weekly COVID testing."
Last week, LBUSD said it would announce its testing policy (after initially requiring tests only for the first three weeks after reopening schools on Aug. 31) after conferring with health officials. It then announced a one week "pause" and its Sept. 23 announcement cites no local health officials by name.
LBUSD management says it will implement the following policies:
Randomized Asymptomatic COVID-19 Testing of Students
During the first three weeks of school, we tested as many unvaccinated students as possible. We have administered more than 60,000 tests, resulting in a low positivity rate of well under 1%. In fact, our weekly positivity rate decreased each week for the first three weeks of school. Again, this is a testament to the diligence of students, families and school staff in following health and safety measures.
Starting next week, we will implement weekly testing of 10% of each school’s unvaccinated student population. As with our prior testing, we will use the same painless, self-administered nasal swab procedure that students have been using since we reopened in March. The District will generate randomized lists of these students on a weekly basis using an automated, unbiased system. The strategy of testing a representative sample will allow us to gather reliable data while minimizing the burden of testing among students and schools. This approach to testing fits within the national Centers for Disease Control’s guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools.
Modified Home Quarantine
Modified quarantine is a way to allow students who have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 to attend in-person learning. Scientific research and experience from around the nation demonstrate that when both parties are wearing face masks during the time of a potential school-based exposure to COVID-19, in-school transmission is unlikely, and students can safely continue in-person learning as long as certain precautions are taken.
During modified quarantine, students will need to refrain from extracurricular activities, including sports, and activities within the community setting. Testing during modified quarantine provides an additional layer of safety and monitoring.
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