In an effort to keep track of COVID-19 infections and protect families, Fresno County officials are ramping up testing as students return to the classrooms from the holiday break.

More than 160,000 at-home testing kits will be given out across the county starting Friday Jan 7.

“I encourage families to utilize the test kits available to them from their school district, as well as vaccinating their children when eligible,” said Jim Yovino, Fresno County’s superintendent of schools. “Students belong in the classroom in front of a caring adult. Let’s keep students in school.”

To ensure that all students are protected from COVID-19 and its variants, public health and school leaders say that the in-home rapid tests will be available to every K-12 public school student. 

For questions of how these test kits will be distributed, parents and students are encouraged to contact their school district. School officials say theses test kits will not need to be used right away in order for students to go back to school. 

They will simply be given out to be utilized for when a student feels sick or is experiencing any type of COVID symptoms.

At Least 20 Cases Of Omicron Identified in Fresno

As COVID-19 surges in the county following Christmas and New Year celebrations, at least 20 cases of the Omicron variant have been identified. The county is responding by expanding the availability of tests. 

“More cases of Omicron are expected over the next few days as travelers return home and as students return to the classroom,” says Dr. Rais Vohra, the county’s interim health officer.

“Evidence suggests that Omicron spreads more rapidly than other variants, and an increase in cases may continue to overwhelm our Central Valley hospitals.”

Home Testing Kits Coming for Adults, Too

County health officials say at-home COVID-19 testing kits also will soon be available to vulnerable residents as well as residents who live in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

These tests will be made available to order through an online form and also distributed by community-based organizations.

The county is currently testing the online form and will notify the public when it’s ready to take orders.

“For those who do not yet have a home test available, walk-up or drive-thru COVID-19 testing sites, and events will continue,” health officials said.

Testing and Vaccination Sites

For a full schedule of testing events and sites, click here.

To find vaccination sites near you, check here or visit the MyTurn portal to make an appointment online.