River Delta Unified School District COVID-19 Testing Plan

Per SB 1479, River Delta Unified School District, after consulting with its local health department regarding any local guidance or best practices from the Safe Schools for All hub, created this COVID-19 Testing Plan that is consistent with guidance from the CDPH.

Per the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K–12 Schools to Support Safe In-Person Learning, 2022–2023 School Year, testing remains a key mitigation layer to detect and curb transmission of COVID-19. Schools are encouraged to ensure access to COVID-19 testing for students and staff, particularly for vulnerable communities. Schools should review support and resources offered by the California COVID-19 Testing Task Force, as well as those available through healthcare insurers, local, and federal sources.

Recommended Actions:

  1. CDPH recommends that antigen tests be considered the primary option for detecting COVID-19 in schools, compared to PCR tests. For more information, see the Testing Framework for K–12 Schools.
  2. Due to the increased travel and social interactions that often occurs during school-breaks, it is recommended that students and staff get tested for COVID-19 prior to returning to school following major breaks (e.g., summer, winter, spring).
  3. If symptoms are concerning for COVID-19, it is recommended that students wear a mask and get tested immediately. Students should also follow CDPH recommendations for retesting and/or isolating if results are positive.

River Delta Unified School District will make available and/or use rapid antigen tests for detecting COVID-19 in schools.

Additional testing recommendations are referenced in the Guidance for K-12 Schools and the Testing Framework for K-12 Schools (see links above).

Excerpt from SB 1479, effective January 1, 2023

SECTION 1. Article 9 (commencing with Section 32096) is added to Chapter 1 of Part 19 of Division 1 of Title 1of the Education Code, to read:

Article 9. COVID-19 Testing in Schools

32096. (a) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

  1. “Framework” means the document issued on May 27, 2022, titled “Preliminary Testing Framework for K–12 Schools for the 2022–2023 School Year” by the State Department of Public Health, as it is updated based on current scientific knowledge and anticipated trends.
  2. “Local educational agency” means a school district, county office of education, or charter school serving pupils in kindergarten or any of grades 1 to 12, inclusive.
  3. “Local health department” means either a city or county health department.
    1. (e) Each local educational agency, after consulting with its local health department regarding any local guidance or best practices from the Safe Schools for All Hub, shall create a COVID-19 testing plan, or adopt the framework, that is consistent with guidance from the State Department of Public Health. Each local educational agency shall publish the testing plan on its internet website.
      1. Each local educational agency may designate one staff member to report information on its COVID-19 testing program to the State Department of Public Health.
      2. For purposes of this paragraph, publishing a testing plan on its internet website, as required pursuant to paragraph (1), shall satisfy the reporting provision described in subparagraph (A).
    3. All COVID-19 testing data shall be in a format that facilitates a simple process by which parents and local educational agencies may report data to the State Department of Public Health, or to a local health department, consistent with the framework.
    4. Testing plans shall not be required to include the provision of onsite testing or programs.
    5. Nothing in this section requires the State Department of Public Health to review or approve testing plans that are consistent with the framework before the testing plan is published or implemented.

(f) The State Department of Public Health shall determine which COVID-19 tests are appropriate for use for the testing programs described in this section.

32096.1. This article shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2026, and as of that date is repealed.