Rapid antigen tests and self-test kits will now be offered to after-school and summer camp programs free of charge through the expansion of the White House point-of-care kits distribution.
Previously, point-of-care kits including self-tests were made available to Department of Education schools throughout the academic year.
The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended orders begin for summer programs on April 12, with the Hawaii Department of Health announcing plans to take advantage of the expansion.
“Hawaii DOH has been placing orders for the White House point-of-care kits since Jan. 18, which was the first week the program was open,” said DOH spokesman Brooks Baehr. “The program was later expanded to include over-the-counter self-test kits, and DOH again ordered the first week tests were available.”
The DOH plans to order the new kits this week, with Baehr noting more than 70 summer and after-school programs already have indicated interest in the additional self-test kits.
“We will continue to gather orders until next Tuesday,” said Baehr. “At which time we will place our first order for summer programs.”
Free tests can be requested by program directors through an interest form available weekly at https://tinyurl.com/2rhekzyp.
Self-test kits come two tests per kit, with 24 kits per box. The opportunity is expected to last through June.
In a Wednesday newsletter, Interim Superintendent Keith Hayashi of the state DOE reported that of the 750,000 COVID-19 self-test kits acquired by the department in partnership with the state DOH, more than 160,000 have been distributed to schools.
Public schools in Hawaii still require individuals to wear masks indoors and at school-sanctioned events held on or off campus. This will include upcoming prom and graduation events scheduled this season for in-person returns.
“While we are excited that members of the (DOE) community are able to once again participate in these celebrations, the department prioritizes the health and safety of our students,” Hayashi said.
On Wednesday, the DOE reported 206 new COVID cases statewide at school facilities between April 3 and April 12, with nine cases at Konawaena Elementary School on the Big Island.
Individual case investigations, contact identification, and quarantine of in-school exposures are no longer recommended for K-12 schools where universal masking is implemented.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com.