The Government of Alberta announced over the weekend that they’re expanding the in-school rapid screening test program to up to 300 schools, including schools in Grande Prairie.

In a release, they say that testing will start as soon as possible over the coming weeks as the rapid testing teams get set up. The expansion includes the distributions of 440,000 test kits to schools in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge and Grande Prairie for testing of up to 220,000 students and staff.

Grande Prairie & District Catholic Schools and Grande Prairie Public School Division (GPPSD) are the boards participating in the program.

John Lehners, board chair of GPPSD, says, “Grande Prairie Public School Division is very appreciative of the efforts of the ministry to be proactive in their approach to the COVID-19 pandemic and is fully supportive of the expansion of the rapid testing initiative into our schools.”

The program will prioritize junior and senior high schools based on prevalence of COVID-19 in the school and community, among other factors. Provincial officials will work with school authorities in this process.

Testing teams will be set up to screen students and staff who don’t have symptoms, even if they aren’t close contacts, and have signed consent forms. Testing is optional.

Alberta’s government believes that the rapid testing will help to find asymptomatic cases quickly, which will reduce spread as people isolate right away. Results are available at the school usually within an hour. Anyone who tests positive will need the results confirmed by an Alberta Health Services lab-based test.