Rapid tests needed in some Ontario schools when daily cases surpass 1,000, says science table head
CBC
The head of Ontario's Science Table says the province should provide rapid tests for elementary school students in hotspot communities, but only if COVID-19 cases double current levels.
Dr. Peter Juni, the advisory table's scientific director, is recommending the province deploy rapid targeted testing for students under the age of 12, who are too young to be eligible for vaccination, when daily case counts in Ontario hit between 1,000 to 1,500.
The province then should look at communities where case rates are the highest and focus the rapid testing on schools that are struggling with outbreaks, he said.
These schools should take a "test to stay" approach, where kids complete two rapid tests a week and can continue learning in class as long as long as they're negative, Juni said.
However, Juni said Ontario remains in a "very good" situation with roughly the same number of COVID cases each day, and seven-day averages hovering between 500 to 600. Currently no schools require that level of surveillance, he said.
"Rapid tests or any additional lever that can be pulled that can contribute to controlling the pandemic right now, we're not in a situation where any of that is needed," Juni told CBC News in an interview Monday.
"We will not be able to do a cookie-cutter approach in the entire province because the logistical challenges and the number of tests that would be needed are simply too large."
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