As part of the New York State’s Cluster Action Initiative, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) has determined that schools open to in-person instruction in yellow zones are required to test 20% of in-person students, teachers and staff over the two-week period immediately following the announcement of a yellow zone designation.
As a reminder, Cayuga County would be determined to be a yellow zone if the COVID-19 positivity rate exceeds a 7-day rolling average of 3.5%. Currently (as of 11.17.2020) Cayuga County is at 2.5%.
Testing participation would be on a volunteer basis for staff and students. If the results of the testing reveal that the positivity rate among the 20% of those tested is lower than the yellow zone's current 7-day positivity rate, testing in the school will no longer be required to continue.
This survey is to determine a few things, one being if the district has enough participation to meet the 20% requirement.
For more information about the testing, please head to the FDA's website:
https://www.fda.gov/media/141570/downloadInformation about the tests:
https://www.globalpointofcare.abbott/en/support/product-installation-training/navica-brand/navica-binaxnow-ag-training.html