San Diego Unified, UC San Diego look to partner on Covid-19 testing

San Diego Unified, the second largest school district in California, is eyeing a partnership with UC San Diego to provide Covid-19 testing to all students and staff in the district.

San Diego Unified’s school board will be asked on Tuesday to approve the contract of up to $5 million. Under the proposal, UC San Diego would provide Covid-19 tests to all students and staff every two weeks. It would cost the district $40 a test.

San Diego Unified is currently conducting some in-person instruction for students with the greatest needs but has not resumed face-to-face instruction on a wider scale. The district is hoping to bring back all elementary school students in early January as part of a hybrid reopening plan. Under that plan, middle and high school students would return beginning Jan. 25.