Coronavirus
SPURGER ISD COVID-19 Testing Center
The Spurger ISD COVID-19 Testing Center is located in the annex building next to the nurse’s office. The testing center hours will be 8:00. a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The center is currently open only for symptomatic students, staff, and for staff who fit the TEA guidance: “For staff who meet the close contact threshold with a COVID-19 positive individual, if these staff continue to work on campus, rapid testing must be performed at the start of the day, at least once every other day until the end of day 10.”
From 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. the center is only open for staff members. During this time frame, staff members will not be required to have an appointment.
From 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. students and staff can visit the center, but they must schedule an appointment to do so. Appointments can be made by emailing covidtesting@spurgerisd.org
Once visitors arrive on campus, someone will direct them to the testing center. It is important that anyone visiting the testing center not enter any Spurger ISD Administration Buildings for any reason. You will be directed into the testing center building by Spurger ISD staff.
What tests are used in this program?
This testing program uses rapid antigen tests that are completely funded by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and provide results in 15 minutes. They will be administered by the Spurger ISD school nurse. The test is administered using a nasal swab in the front area of the nostril. These tests have been shown to be highly accurate, with accuracy rates of 97-98% for symptomatic individuals.
Who will be tested and when?
We will ONLY be offering these tests to Spurger ISD staff and Spurger ISD students. These tests are optional and we will have a limited number of tests per week. Due to the limited number of tests, Spurger ISD will ONLY test individuals who are currently experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or 3-5 days after an exposure.
How will the information from the tests be used?
Staff and students will receive test results within 15 minutes and will also receive a confirmation email within 24 hours. If the test results in a positive, the results will also be shared with the campus nurse and with Jasper Newton County Public Health to allow for public health reporting, contact tracing, and to determine the stay-at-home period. Additionally, the total number of positive tests will also be shared with the Texas Department of State Health Services and TEA as is required by law.
What steps are required to participate in the program?
The testing site will be open Monday through Friday. From 8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. the center is only open for staff members. During this time frame, staff members will not be required to have an appointment.
From 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. students and staff can visit the center, but they must schedule an appointment to do so. Appointments can be made by emailing covidtesting@spurgerisd.org
Every employee and parent will be required to fill out a consent form AND utilize the QR Code or visit the link below to fill out the information specific to the BinaxNow Test.
Consent forms will be provided to you at your appointment. Please scan the QR Code or visit the link, pre-populate your data, and save it to your phone as a screenshot or print a screenshot to take with you to the testing site.
https://register.txrapidtest.org/
Students who receive results from the testing site need to do the following:
For a Positive Test - The employee or student will isolate for 10 days from symptom onset. The campus will begin contact tracing. Staff absences are individually discussed with Spurger ISD Human Resources.
For a Negative Test - The employee/student determines if they are well enough to go back to campus. All employees and students displaying symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to return for a 2nd test within 48 hours. Staff at the testing center will work with the employee/student to schedule a time for the second test. For students and staff without symptoms that are testing after an exposure, only 1 negative test performed between day 3-5 is required. Should the exposed student or staff show symptoms consistent with COVID-19, they will be required to be COVID tested immediately.
If the employee/student does not have fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, and is able to return to campus with their current symptoms, they must follow the instructions given to them at the testing site until they return for their second test.
If one of the symptoms is fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, the employee/student must go home and remain home until their second test. Employees will need to contact their supervisor and HR regarding the absence.
If the employee/student does not feel they can work or be on campus with the symptoms they are experiencing, employees will need to contact their supervisor and HR regarding the absence and students will need to contact their campus.
If you have additional questions, please contact the school nurse 409-429-3464 x 2340