More than 145,000 COVID-19 tests were administered to Atlanta Public Schools’ students and staff during the first nine weeks of classes.
The district reported that 145,685 tests were given from Aug. 2 through Oct. 1. Of those, 881 were positive.
APS in February launched its surveillance testing program, meant to curb the spread of COVID-19 by identifying positive cases among individuals without symptoms.
The program has grown as more children return to classrooms, and since APS mandated twice-weekly staff testing starting Sept. 7.
Since then, the number of tests given to employees has more than tripled, from 3,785 staff tests in the week ending Sept. 3 to 12,542 tests for the week ending Oct. 1.
About 30 APS employees were granted medical or religious exemptions and aren’t required to participate in the testing program, said Katika Lovett, assistant superintendent of student services, at a board meeting this month.
Students are encouraged but not required to participate. For the week ending Oct. 1, 12,544 tests were administered to students.
The district signed a contract with Atlanta-based testing company Viral Solutions to run the program.
