Update on Rapid Antigen Tests

The Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is working to distribute Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to families with students in Kindergarten to Grade 6 who are returning to in-school learning on Monday, Jan. 17 as outlined by the Manitoba Government. Each package includes five RATs. Families with students in K to 6 should complete the Tyler SIS survey as soon as possible. More details are available in the email sent by communications@news.lrsd.net on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 1:00 p.m. 

Testing is strongly encouraged as part of an individual responsibility in the service of a collective effort to protect our students in K-6 and mitigate disruption to learning. Please note that testing remains a voluntary act of responsibility and has not been mandated by government for a return to in-school learning at this time. 

The government has provided test packages for 93% of our K to 6 population, meaning we are working with a limited supply for our students.  

On Tuesday, Jan. 11, the government announced that, going forward, RATs will be provided to school staff who are showing COVID-19 symptoms and are scheduled to work in the near future (within three days).  

Manitoba Education will also be implementing a testing program for asymptomatic teachers, staff and kindergarten to Grade 12 students at Manitoba schools experiencing high case numbers or high levels of absenteeism. Schools will provide rapid antigen tests to students and staff identified as potentially exposed as part of the cluster or outbreak, or who are part of a classroom/cohort with a concerning level of cases or absenteeism. We will continue to provide more information as it is made available to us.  
 

Christian Michalik 
Superintendent