May 16, 2022

Due to the prominence of the BA.2 variant in Maine, the Maine Department of Education has ended the pooled testing program because it proved to be less effective in detecting and identifying positive individuals before they could spread the virus to others. The Maine DOE is instead transitioning to an at-home testing strategy to limit the spread in schools.

The Bangor School Department is participating in a free program now offered by the Maine Department of Education that allows the school to distribute antigen tests to students and staff members at no cost to them. We have secured six tests for all students for a one time distribution. The tests will be distributed on Wednesday, May 18, from 4 – 6 pm at the James F. Doughty School library and the William S. Cohen School library.

The Binax-NOW antigen tests should be used if students develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or if they are a known close contact of someone who is positive for COVID-19. Schools will continue to use the supply of rapid tests available in the nurses offices for students (with parent permission) and staff that become symptomatic during the school day. 

Families who are in need of more tests, may order them at www.covidtests.gov and www.accesscovidtests.org.