Salem Students, Staff Urged To Test For COVID-19 Post-Thanksgiving

SALEM, MA — COVID-19 test kits will be distributed to Salem Public Schools students and staff this week with all those within the district urged to utilize the coronavirus tests prior to returning to the classroom next week.

Students and employees will receive the rapid, at-home tests that give results in about 15 minutes.

"We are asking every member of our community to participate to help keep everyone as safe as possible," Superintendent Steve Zrike said in his weekly newsletter to the school community.

Each test kit contains two tests. All students and staff are asked to use the first test on Sunday before the return to the classroom on Monday after Thanksgiving.

All students and staff are asked to use the second test on the final day of the upcoming winter break.

Anyone who tests positive should isolate themselves from others and call their health care provider. Those who test positive should note the date of the positive test and contact the school nurse following the break.

Nurses will be able to then provide timelines for return to school and/or work.

Those who test negative are expected to return to the classroom on the next regular school day.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)