The Palm Beach County School District is expanding a pilot COVID testing program.
"Test to Know" was launched in November at two schools, Palm Beach Lakes High and Washington Elementary, both in West Palm Beach. The program will now be implemented in about a third of all schools in the county.
Here's how it works: If a child has no symptoms of the virus but has been exposed to someone with COVID-19, they can bring in a signed permission slip from their parent or guardian to be tested.
If they're negative, the student heads back to class immediately.
If they test positive, the student would be sent home or to an isolation room if a parent is at work and the kid is too young to stay home alone.
School District officials say there's been a big increase in student absences and this is aimed at keeping kids in class.