Latest Updates on K-12 Testing Program - October 7, 2021

Update on K-12 Testing Program October 7, 2021

Todays Presentation Department of Elementary and Secondary Education COVID-19 Command Center Shah Foundation Russell Johnston, Deputy Commissioner Lauren Woo, Strategic Transformation Director Ross Wilson, Executive Director Eliza Novick, Project Manager Marisa Meldonian, Associate Director Lizzie Gordon, Project Associate Jeremiah Hay, Deputy Strategy Director, COVID- 19 Command Center Sean Burpoe, Strategy Manager, COVID-19 Command Center Amar Parikh, Strategy Analyst, COVID-19 Command Center 2 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

01 Program updates and FAQs 02 Shah Family Foundation resources CONTENTS 03 Next Steps

01 Program updates and FAQs

Inputting BinaxNOW results Unlike pooled testing results, which are reported automatically by the laboratory, it is the responsibility of the school to input all BinaxNOW results into the software platform managed by CIC Health. o Please note there is a separate requirement to report positive individual cases to DESE through the security portal. All results both positive and negative must be inputted in a timely fashion. While we understand that the lack of on-site support may have contributed to these delays, inputting results is important, especially for: o Complying with Department of Public Health regulations regarding the reporting of COVID-19 cases. o Tracking positive cases/clusters in schools o Making sure reported positivity rates accurately reflect the reality on the ground Remember, districts using Crush the Curve can now bulk upload results. Moving forward, DESE/EHS will reach out to districts that have received a large supply of BinaxNOW tests but have not reported sufficient results. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

BinaxNOW self-collection New protocol! Current guidance states that a trained professional must administer the BinaxNOW tests on all students, regardless of age. o This is different from specimen collection for pooled testing, where students above kindergarten may collect samples themselves. As of October 7, 2021, this policy has now changed: all students, kindergarten and above, may now self-collect the BinaxNOW sample when observed by a trained professional o The observer must still perform the BinaxNOW test (inserting the sample into the card and recording the test result). Schools do not need to take any steps to take advantage of this change. The goal is that this will result in a reduction in the staff capacity needed to administer BinaxNOW as part of test and stay, routine covid safety checks, and symptomatic testing. 6 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Review of routine pooled testing process Samples collected from staff and students once/week (self-collection) Pooled samples delivered to lab by courier service (e.g., FedEx) or school Pooled samples tested at CLIA-certified laboratory using PCR test Pooled test result is negative Pooled tests result is positive Pool members continue learning/instruction without interruption Follow protocol outlined on next page 7 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Protocol for positive pooled test with BinaxNOW follow-up testing Pooled test result is positive All pool members tested individually using BinaxNOW (All individual results must be inputted in online portal) Individual tests do identify positive individual(s) from pool Individual tests do not identify positive individual(s) from pool Positive individual(s) isolate and close contact(s) follow DESE Protocols Remainder of individuals cleared to resume learning/instruction Choose from options on next page 8 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

What if all rapid tests for positive pool members are negative? All negative BinaxNOW tests likely indicate an individual of lower viral load that is less likely to be infectious. Asymptomatic members of the pool should return to school until an individual is identified as positive. Option A Option B Conduct a 2ndBinaxNOW test on all individuals (no sooner than the next day, but within 2 days) Retest all individuals utilizing individual PCR tests (can be done the same day) Follow-up tests do identify positive individual(s) from pool Follow-up tests do not identify positive individual(s) from pool Pool members continue learning/instruction without interruption Positive individual(s) isolate and close contact(s) follow DESE Protocols Remainder of individuals cleared to resume learning/instruction Follow-up approach when all rapid tests for positive pool members are negative is at the discretion of each school/district. 9 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

03 Shah Family Foundation resources

Software Platform Cheat Sheet Platform What It s Used For Link CIC Electronic Consent Consent Forms, Logging Paper Forms https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma *each district/school can send an individualized link CIC Zendesk Portal How-To Materials, Re-Ordering Supplies, Student Consent & Database Portal https://cich-ma.zendesk.com/hc/en-us Crush the Curve Recording Tests: single/double swab, BinaxNOW https://covid.cic-health.com/s/login/ Veritas Recording Tests: Saliva https://secure.veritasgenetics.com/user/login Project Beacon Recording Tests: LEGACY CLIENTS ONLY (single/double swab, BinaxNOW) https://app.beacontesting.com/login The Shah Foundation has also created cheat sheets that district personnel can use to keep track of usernames and passwords for Crush the Cuve, Veritas Genetics, and Project Beacon. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

04 Next steps

Important links on DESE website COVID-19 Testing Program: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/testing/ o Authorized School Application o COVID-19 Testing FAQs (updated/new FAQs dated 9/22/2021) o Webinar recordings and slides o Consent forms and parent letters On the Desktop: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop.html o Extension of Mask Mandate o Policy on Vaccination Rate Threshold & Attestation Form o Reminders for Identifying Close Contacts and Close Contact Decision Tree o Protocols for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios o Protocols Flowcharts General FAQs: https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/faq/ o Protocols and other reopening FAQs (also sent out in the Commissioner s Weekly Update) 13 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Next steps Complete the Authorized School Application and Statement of Assurances https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6473918/SY22-Authorized-School- Application-COVID-19-Testing-Program If needed, request eMed at home tests or BinaxNOW through the forms provided by CIC Health. The BinaxNOW order form can be found here: BinaxNOW Order Form The eMed form will be can be found here: eMed Order Form Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Have a question? Need help? Here s how to get in touch: oFirst, contact your Program Coordinator They are your best first line of defense. oIf you don t hear back, contact CIC support support@cic-health.com Please allow a few hours for a response during the next few weeks oStill don t have what you need? Send us a note! DESE: k12covid19testing@mass.gov Shah Foundation: CovidEdTesting@ShahFoundation.org Please note: If you need help, please reach out as early as possible. All teams are experiencing a high volume and the sooner we hear from you the better. 15 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education