Rochester Schools began SHIELD screening for COVID-19 through a partnership with the University of Illinois for COVID-19 this week with approximately 380 students and staff participating.
What is SHIELD Illinois?
SHIELD Illinois is a University of Illinois program whose goal is to share the innovative, saliva-based COVID-19 test developed at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with the rest of the state. The process requires individuals to simply deposit a small amount of saliva in a vial, which usually takes less than five minutes, and provides results within 24 hours of samples reaching a SHIELD Illinois lab.
Every Wednesday SHIELD will provide weekly screenings at the Rochester Elementary EC-1, Rochester Elementary 2-3, and Rochester Intermediate School to students who have a signed consent on file. On Thursdays, screenings will take place at Rochester Junior High and Rochester High School for students who have a signed consent on file. If interested in signing your student up for the weekly screenings you may complete the consent form online by clicking here.
Rochester school nurses will follow up the following morning with any positive test results.