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NEW Screening Testing in Missouri’s K-12 Schools (Added 7/1/2021)

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is offering COVID-19 screening testing for Missouri school staff and students during the 2021-2022 school year. COVID-19 testing offers an additional layer of prevention, helping schools to provide in-person learning for their students with confidence. For more information about the program and how to apply, review the Missouri COVID-19 Screening Testing for K-12 Schools Program Guide.

What is Screening Testing?

Screening testing means regularly (e.g., weekly) testing people without symptoms with the goal of identifying and isolating COVID-19 positive individuals. This type of testing can help schools identify potential outbreaks early and give them the confidence needed to safely, and with precautions, open or maintain in-person learning for their students. The K-12 Screening Testing Program uses a pooled testing approach. Pooled PCR testing is an efficient way to test large groups of students and staff in schools on a weekly basis. Instead of testing each individual sample on its own, the lab tests the pool.

The screening testing program will provide resources and staffing for the entire testing process including registering individuals for testing, providing testing materials, collecting and testing samples, and reporting results. Schools will also have access to full staffing support for testing (e.g. testing manager, testing staff), and communication resources.

Please direct questions about the screening testing program to k12screeningtesting@health.mo.gov.

The Application Process

All Missouri school districts and private or charter schools that are interested in joining the pooled testing program must complete an application to indicate their interest and provide details about their school/district. DHSS is accepting applications on a rolling basis. We encourage districts and schools to apply as soon as possible to take full advantage of the program.

To participate in the Missouri K-12 Screening Testing Program, schools/districts will need to complete the following:

Additional COVID-19 Information and Resources

Higher Education