RCPS is committed to taking the steps necessary to continue providing in-person learning for our students. As an added mitigation strategy to help stop the spread of COVID-19, we will offer a free COVID-19 Testing Program for staff at RCPS in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health. Regular testing will help protect our students, staff, family members, and others who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 or are otherwise at risk for getting seriously sick from COVID-19.

Through this program, we will be able to identify COVID-19 cases quickly and early, which can help us stop an outbreak before it happens. Testing is available for staff who are not showing symptoms but wish to test weekly out of an abundance of caution as well as staff members who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19.

How to Participate in the COVID-19 Employee Testing Program:

1. It is recommended you pre-register through Primary Health’s platform for the screening program: https://my.primary.health/l/roanoke-public-schools. This link is specific for our staff. This registration will take no longer than 5 minutes and is only done one time!
2. Testing is conducted every Tuesday from 6:30am - 8am at the Administration Building on Campbell Avenue (former Roanoke Times building). Paper consents will be available; however, pre-registration is recommended.  Results are available through a hotline and are available within 24-48 hours of collection.

Frequently Asked Questions:

We are working with our Virginia Department of Health and are joining other school districts throughout the state that offer this program. Some frequently asked questions are:

• Who will be tested? We will offer testing to everyone—all staff. Testing is voluntary but highly recommended. It is free of cost to you so no insurance information is needed, nor will you ever be asked to pay for these tests.
• How is the testing done? Testing will primarily be done through self-swabbing and monitored by trained staff on site. Testing will be performed by NAAT/PCR, which entails Gently swabbing the inner part of the lower nostril. This test is not painful. We do not use the longer swabs that reach higher into the nose.
• What happens if I am positive? If your test result is positive, you will be contacted directly.
• How can I be sure that my information will be protected? Sharing of information will only be done for public health purposes and in accordance with applicable law and policies protecting your privacy and the security of your data. Everyone with access to results is required to undergo full HIPAA training on these requirements as well.

To learn more or register, please visit https://my.primary.health/l/roanoke-public-schools.

If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 Testing Program, please reach out to Employee Health at 540-853-1436 or email [email protected].