Los Angeles Unified launches Covid-19 testing, contact-tracing programs

Los Angeles Unified on Monday launched the beginning of an ambitious plan to provide coronavirus testing and contact tracing to hundreds of thousands of teachers and staff.

California’s largest school district, the second largest in the nation, has begun testing staff who are currently working at school sites, as well as their children in child care at schools. In the coming weeks, tests will be provided to all 500,000 students who are enrolled in L.A. Unified schools. All 75,000 staff members in the district will also be tested. 

However, a return to in-person learning is not imminent. The goal of testing all students will be to give the district a better understanding of infection rates across the district. There will be a second round of baseline testing once the district is closer to fully reopening campuses.

“Don’t expect to see a decision about a return to school classrooms by students until the case rate in the area is significantly lower and remains there,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said Monday in a pre-recorded speech.