BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Department of Health announced new COVID-19 testing programs for schools with $18.5 million in federal funding.

What You Need To Know

  • ECDOH introduces two new COVID-19 testing programs

  • Both are recommended by the CDC and NYSDOH
  • Parents must consent to their child's participation

  • These programs are federally funded

One program, called screening testing, involves testing a random group of students weekly. This program is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health.

“Testing can mean the difference between a few scattered cases in a school and a full-blown COVID-19 outbreak and closure,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County health commissioner. “It can also reduce the number of students and school staff who are kept out of school because of isolation, illness and quarantine.”

The other program is called proximate testing and is done as needed when a classroom experiences a positive COVID-19 case. The students who are not required to quarantine but were possibly exposed will be provided a COVID-19 PCR test three to five days after exposure. Parents must consent to their child’s participation in these programs. 

Peter Stuhlmiller, president of the Kenmore Teachers Association and educator for 30 years, said he is glad to see testing in schools.

“Isn’t it better to err on the side of caution and make sure that that child isn’t unnecessarily exposed to a virus that could bring on the on-set of these debilitating symptoms, God forbid death,” said Stuhlmiller.

Test results are expected to return within one business day. Schools are currently enrolling students in screening testing. Proximate testing begins in early October.