Wenatchee School District, CDHD to Conduct Voluntary Random Sample Testing of Students and Families Ahead of Hybrid Move

The Wenatchee School District is working with an epidemiologist from the Chelan Douglas Health District to conduct random sample testing among its K-2 student and family population ahead of the start of hybrid instruction.

Communications Director Diana Haglund stated that both districts need good data on the prevalence of COVID in the K-2 population so staff and parents can feel confident that it's safe to return to school.

Haglund said, "We will make contact with families who have been chosen and invite them to participate in the voluntary testing. The testing for that group would happen October 7th, 8th, and 9th. We'll let families know exactly when and where that testing will occur."

Tests will be of the self administered nasal swab variety, and will be conducted in a drive-through method.

The school district hopes rates will show a moderate level of COVID infection, between 25 to 75 per 100,000 over two weeks. As of Friday, October 2nd, the infection rate was 119.2 in Chelan County.

Similar testing for higher grades will occur when those students near a return to the classroom. Voluntary testing for preschool and elementary staff will also be provided October 6th through the 8th.

This testing is not to be confused with the community-wide testing program that will be held at the Wenatchee High School parking lot October 6th through 9th from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. For that event, testing is open to the public and ID is not required. Test results will be made available within 24-48 hours.