From The Tribune staff reports
BIRMINGHAM — On Wednesday, Birmingham City Schools announced it will begin offering bi-weekly COVID-19 testing for students participating in fall sports, cheerleading and band.
According to a press release, Birmingham City Schools, Live HealthSmart Alabama, and the UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research Center (MHRC) are partnering to offer bi-weekly COVID-19 testing for students within the system.
Each school will be assigned a specific date and scheduled time for testing, which will be conducted in a “safe and secure environment using a nasal swab.”
“As we continue to look at data, it is abundantly clear that this disease is wreaking havoc on majority black and brown communities,” said Dr. Mark Sullivan, superintendent of Birmingham City Schools. “Our goal in offering the test is to help protect our students and their families. This is a game-changer that will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
Director of the MHRC at UAB, Mona Fouad, M.D. also weighed in on the decision.
“Community testing is an essential part of the strategy to contain and ultimately end the pandemic,” said Fouad. “The MHRC has been a leader in community testing for COVID-19 in Birmingham and Jefferson County since we launched mobile testing locations on April 30, 2020. We are pleased to partner with the Birmingham City Schools to keep students, their families, teachers and school staff safe.”
According to the release, nasal swab testing will be offered at BCS high schools beginning Monday, Sept. 28, 2020. Students who test positive will be required to self-quarantine for two weeks, as will individuals who have been exposed to the positive case.
