COVID-19 Surveillance Testing

  • Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is continuing its efforts to keep everyone in our schools and students and staff safe by making COVID-19 Surveillance Testing available to students and staff. In January of 2022, the district began piloting g in the Norcross Cluster. GCPS has since then expanded the program, offering this testing opportunity to students and staff in the Archer, Berkmar, Collins Hill, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lanier, Norcross, and South Gwinnett clusters.

    The GCPS COVID surveillance testing program is currently only available to students and staff members in the Archer, Berkmar, Collins Hill, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lanier, Norcross, and South Gwinnett clusters. If you are a current student or employee in one of these clusters and are interested in participating in this pilot, click the link below.

    If you signed up for the program last year, you would not need to complete the sign-up again.

  • Surveillance testing involves regular testing for the presence of COVID-19 in individuals in the school setting who do not have symptoms. Surveillance testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours), and notify individuals of a clin­ically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.

    Although participation in surveillance testing is not required for students or staff members, it is strongly encouraged. Participation will contribute to the success of this mitigation strategy and our schools’ ability to limit the spread of COVID and keep students learning in person.

    Learn more about COVID testing by reviewing our frequently asked questions, located on the right side of this web page.

     

    The GCPS pilot for COVID surveillance testing is currently only available to students and staff members in the Berkmar, Grayson, Norcross, and South Gwinnett clusters. If you are a current student or employee in one of these clusters and are interested in participating in this pilot click on the link below.

     

    Student Sign-up         Employee Sign-up        District Staff Sign-up      

     

     Illustration of young girl being tested for COVID.
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  • What is surveillance testing?

    Surveillance testing involves regular testing for the presence of COVID-19 in individuals in the school setting who do not have symptoms. Surveillance testing will allow GCPS to test, receive test results (within 24 hours), and notify individuals of a clinically significant reading. By participating, students and staff members can help to minimize the spread of the virus within our schools, which benefits us all.

  • Who can participate in surveillance testing?

    At this time, surveillance testing will be offered to staff and all students in the Berkmar, Norcross, Grayson, and South Gwinnett cluster schools who have selected to attend school in person and who opt in.

  • What kind of testing is used?

    This testing involves a test that uses a short Qtip-type swab to collect a sample from inside the nose.

  • Where is testing going to occur?

    Individuals who sign up will be tested at their school or building site. Currently, testing is only available in the Berkmar, Norcross, Grayson, and South Gwinnett clusters. 

  • When will the testing begin?

    The lab conducting the test will visit schools in the Berkmar, Norcross, Grayson, and South Gwinnett clusters one time a week. Testing will occur only in weeks when community transmission levels are at the “Moderate,” “Substantial,” or “High” levels. 

  • Why is GCPS providing COVID testing?

    Testing will help us to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our classes and schools. In almost half of COVID cases, the individual does not experience symptoms, but can still spread COVID-19, which is why testing regularly helps to prevent spread and keep our students learning in person. Weekly testing helps to identify and isolate positive cases before they spread. Minimizing spread in school helps keep our school open and all our students in class more often!

  • Will my student have to miss class to be tested?

    The testing itself takes a matter of seconds for each student and will easily fit into their day without disrupting learning. 

  • How do I sign my child up?

    Scan this QR code

    COVID-19 Surveillance Testing QR code for online sign-ups

    or go to https://bit.ly/GCPSstudentCOVIDtest.

  • Will this testing replace other mitigation strategies?

    No, surveillance testing does not take the place of our current mitigation strategies, including wearing masks, maintaining physical distance as feasible, practicing good hand hygiene, frequent and regular cleaning and sanitizing, implementing enhanced air ventilation strategies, and monitoring any health concerns or symptoms.

  • Is surveillance testing required?

    While participation in surveillance testing is not required, it is strongly encouraged. 

  • Who tests the samples?

    LTS is the lab that will provide screening services for the Berkmar and Norcross clusters. MAKO is the lab serving the Grayson and South Gwinnett clusters.

  • What if my student tests positive?

    The student will need to quarantine at home until a follow-up PCR test can confirm the positive reading. Students/staff may not come to school during the quarantine period unless the PCR test provides a negative result. It is important to know that even if your child tests positive in the school surveillance testing there is no cause for panic. You will receive additional information on the steps to take for follow-up testing and isolation. Students/staff who receive a negative result will not receive any notification.