Covid Testing Aims To Help Mashpee Identify Asymptomatic Cases
By Sadie Biehl
All through the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have known that people can contract and spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms.
Now, using a new COVID testing program, Mashpee Public Schools is trying to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by people who don’t know they have it. The school district has recently begun offering the opportunity to participate in pool testing to students and staff. More than 80 people are participating in the program so far.
Superintendent of Mashpee Public Schools, Mrs. DeBoer, explained to The Falconer why pool testing is important, saying that, “Early detection is key in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Pooled testing also allows us to continually monitor for asymptomatic individuals.”
All through the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have known that people can contract and spread the virus even if they don’t show symptoms.
Now, using a new COVID testing program, Mashpee Public Schools is trying to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by people who don’t know they have it. The school district has recently begun offering the opportunity to participate in pool testing to students and staff. More than 80 people are participating in the program so far.
Superintendent of Mashpee Public Schools, Mrs. DeBoer, explained to The Falconer why pool testing is important, saying that, “Early detection is key in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Pooled testing also allows us to continually monitor for asymptomatic individuals.”
Pool testing is when a number of individuals from a community get tested routinely for COVID-19 using a PCR test as a method to proactively identify asymptomatic cases in the school district. The samples are all mixed and the results will come back within 24-48 hours. If the pool is positive, the participants will be tested again with a rapid test to identify who the positive case or cases are.
From there, the school will identify any close contacts to be quarantined in order to prevent outbreaks of the virus. Pool testing has been encouraged by the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a method to control the spread of COVID-19 because there are so many unidentified cases from people who do not experience symptoms, which leads to the disease continuing to spread to people that may be more significantly impacted.
The testing process is quite easy and is done every Monday morning in each school, according to information provided by the school district. For the staff and students grade 2-12, the test is self administered. For preschoolers, kindergartners, and grade 1, the test is performed by a staff member. The test is quick and not uncomfortable.
Pool testing has already identified one asymptomatic COVID-19 case in Mashpee. They were quarantined immediately and nobody else’s health was put at risk.
In regards to the testing process, participant and student at MMHS, Katrina Mayen, said, “I would recommend pool testing. It is not a traditional COVID test and does not go up to your brain. It is simply an easy way to stay informed of your health.”
Participation in the pool is completely voluntary. Every week, more students and staff are deciding to become a part of the pool. Superintendent Mrs. DeBoer told The Falconer that, “We will continue to provide education and hope that along with word of mouth from current participants, participation will continue to increase.”
Mrs. DeBoer also expressed why she would like to continue pool testing even while more people are getting vaccinated. “It is an important tool to help identify asymptomatic individuals as those who are fully vaccinated can still contract COVID-19. They are more likely to be asymptomatic positive.”
Now that the Pfizer vaccine is available to anyone over the age of 16 and is starting to be available for 12-15 year olds, many students at Mashpee Middle High School and staff throughout the district are fully vaccinated or at least have the first shot. This makes pool testing an even more beneficial tool because more people may be asymptomatic positive.
Mrs. Soares, a science teacher at Mashpee High School who is also a parent to children in the Mashpee School District, is participating in the program. “I also find reassurance in knowing that myself and my children are tested every week. Between getting vaccinated and being tested weekly I feel that my family is doing its due diligence during this time,” she said.
For anyone who is thinking about taking part in pool testing, the opportunity will continue to be open.