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Ontario reveals plans for rapid tests as schools reopen on Monday

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Ontario says students and staff will each get two rapid COVID-19 tests after schools return to in-person learning on Monday.

Tests are expected to be handed out next week starting with staff, then to students and children in daycare settings following by secondary students.

The province says more tests may be given out when supply allows, which will allow people to get back to school sooner if tests are negative.

“If it’s positive we would consider it a true positive. If it’s negative, we want two negatives 24 hours apart to confirm that it is not Omicron. The likelihood is much better with two negatives less 24 hours part,” said Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce held a news conference Wednesday afternoon and revealed changes to the way parents and caregivers are informed about COVID-19 cases in schools.

Families won’t be notified of a COVID-19 outbreak at a school until there is a 30 per cent absenteeism rate among staff and students.

The province said school boards will also allow classes to combine or rotate between in-person and remote days to help minimize closures due to staff illnesses.

There will be stricter lunch cohort protocols and some high contact sports such as wrestling will be paused.

The government says parents can expect to receive a form for vaccination opportunities for their child as they will be providing vaccine clinics at schools.

Update: In an email to CHCH News, the province is now saying they will be posting absenteeism as well as school closures on its website.

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