As students return to school this week, Gov. Hochul announced New York State is making COVID-19 rapid test kits and masks available upon request to school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services.
The move comes amid reports of the new BA.2.86 variant and following a rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations this summer. Schools are also being advised to follow CDC guidance to help protect students in the classroom. This week, the state will conduct outreach to the State Education Department and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services, or BOCES to survey needs for test kits and masks.
After the requests have been submitted, New York State will deliver the requested tests and N-95 and KN-95 masks to each BOCES for distribution to school districts.
