What is Shield Illinois COVID-19 Saliva Testing?

The test, developed by scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has been used over 1.1 million times since its inception and kept positivity rates below 2% on U of I campuses during the fall semester. SHIELD Illinois uses a PCR saliva-based test that detects three genes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which allows it to identify pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals along with new variants. Results will be sent to the school district and the Illinois Department of Public Health following HIPPA regulations.

SHIELD Illinois has shown to be a proven & effective tool, with extremely high sensitivity and specificity rates of detecting the virus. This additional risk mitigation tool allows us to fight the transmission of COVID-19 within Hillside School and our community at large.

Please click on the link below to view the 35- Minute Informational Video on the Shield Illinois COVID-19 Testing.

Students and staff will be tested weekly on Mondays and makeup testing on Thursdays!

What is the purpose of weekly COVID-19 screening?

• Reducing school closures and quarantine allowing for more in-person instruction by identifying and keeping as many asymptomatic or symptomatic people out of Hillside School.

• Identifying early potential cases of COVID-19 in the school population, reducing transmission.

• Driving down overall positivity rates in our community by alerting those who may need to quarantine before they show symptoms.

Who will be tested?

The SHIELD Illinois PCR COVID-19 test will be a consent based program that is free to all students and staff participating in our Hybrid In-Person Instruction Model.

If you would like your child to participate in the weekly Shield Illinois Testing program, you will be REQUIRED to complete a one-time testing consent form. At any time, you can opt out of the testing program by contacting the Main Office.

Please click here to complete the CONSENT FORM. (One Form per Family- Please add in the name(s) of the student(s) attending Hillside School).

What are the requirements for the testing?

• Each person will collect their own saliva using the provided kit.

• The test must be taken on-site at Hillside School in an observed setting.

• Students and staff cannot eat or drink 1 hour prior to the testing to avoid inconclusive test results. Hence the need to complete the test at school to ensure all rules are followed.

• The test will take place in our well ventilated gym or large meeting area following all socially distanced and disinfectant protocols.

How long does the test take?

The test will take 2-5 minutes for each student to complete.

We ask that you practice with your child on how to drool into a paper cup. We will also work with our students in Hybrid In-Person Instruction to coach them on how to take this quick, easy and non-invasive saliva test.

Please click on the video link to watch how the test is taken.

CLICK HERE

How are results delivered?

On designated screening days, the district will have the samples delivered to the SHIELD ILLINOIS CLIA Lab by medical courier recommend by Shield Illinois. We anticipate results within 24 hours.

SHIELD Illinois informs the school nurse/administration of any positive test results. The school nurse/administration will notify families/staff of a positive test result and they will follow the IDPH exclusion guidelines for a positive test. Per law, we must report any positive cases within the school to Cook County Health Department and complete the required contact tracing and reporting documentation. In addition, SHIELD ILLINOIS is required to report the number of positive cases to IDPH.

How will we protect the privacy of participants?

Samples are provided with a bar code label and DOB that does not include a name. If there is a positive test result, the lab will inform the school nurse/administration through a secured portal using the bar code and DOB identifiers. The lab will also destroy samples.