Salem Urges Families To Enroll Students In Coronavirus Testing

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools will begin weekly pool testing for all enrolled students in hybrid learning starting next week.

While the testing is voluntary, parents and guardians are asked to sign an online consent form this week in order to allow their children to participate in what the district considers an important mitigation tool against virus spread.

"Help keep our school community safe and allow us to have another layer of protection," the district said. "The program is free and is voluntary. We strongly encourage all students to participate to help keep our schools safe."

Students must be enrolled at their individual school location here.

"Please remember you are completing the form for your student — not for you," the district said. "You need to ensure that you press the consent button before you finish."

Salem Public Schools said earlier this month the weekly testing will be pool, nasal swab testing. This is different from the saliva testing used when students were returning from the holiday break.

The youngest students will have the test done on them, while in second grade and older will be able to self-administer tests under supervision. They will be tested in samples of five with anyone who tests positive notified and asked to get an individual test.

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(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.)

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