1/8/21: ARPS district has rapid symptomatic testing only for students and staff who are doing in-person learning/teaching.
Asymptomatic testing is offered by UMass and CVS Minute Clinic in Amherst.
Robbin Suprenant is Nurse Manager for the district.
MASSLIVE article on COVID pool testing for schools: here.
Dear Colleagues:
We are all getting questions about the return of UMass Students. Therefore, I wanted to provide the following update.
At the meeting yesterday with representatives of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, we have learned that UMass is continuing with their plans for students to return to campus beginning the week of January 25th and begin in-person and online classes as of February 1. They are expecting approximately 5,600 students, resident assistants, and mentors to live in dorms on campus – the original goal was 7,700 students, but they have not reached that goal. Although UMass does not have firm numbers they are expecting the same number of off-campus students as there were this past fall, although they have put in place systems that will provide for more accurate tracking of off-campus students. They will provide us with updates on both on- and off-campus numbers as soon as they are available.
On-campus students will be tested for COVID as they receive the key to their dorm rooms. They will then be tested 4 days later AND only with 2 negative COVID tests will students attending in-person classes be allowed to do so. They will continue to be tested twice a week throughout the semester. Off-campus students will also be tested for COVID twice a week throughout the semester.
I will send a more complete update on the meeting later.
Lynn
Lynn Griesemer
President & District 2 Councilor
Amherst Town Council