At the Albany County Executive Press Conference on Monday, November 16, County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen announced a change in protocols for testing of symptomatic individuals. Going forward, in order to return to school, or work, symptomatic individuals must have a negative PCR test. A negative antigen “rapid test” will no longer be acceptable to return.
Additionally, Dr. Whalen announced an expanded partnership with Whitney M. Young Health Center as an agent to administer the PCR tests. Whitney Young will have a mobile testing site at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Voorheesville. For any student or staff member needing a PCR test to return to school or work, BKW Central School District will provide contact information to Whitney Young for you, and they will arrange an appointment with you.
Should the region be designated as a “Yellow Zone” under the recently enacted cluster initiative, schools whose zip code falls within the “Yellow Zone” will be required to test 20% of their on-site students and staff and demonstrate infection rates below the established thresholds to be removed from the “Yellow Zone.” The District will work with the County Department of Health to establish testing procedures in preparation for the possible “Yellow Zone” scenario. You may find more information about the Cluster Initiative at https://forward.ny.gov/.