Community Connection: Saliva Screening Update - February 6
Published by Mr. Viniard on Feb 06, 2021

At the beginning of the 2021 calendar year, District 106 implemented a voluntary saliva screening option for in-person students and staff.  We are very pleased with the data, specific to 106 students, that the screening provides.  This additional mitigation step has proved invaluable in just four weeks of screenings.  The staff and students who were identified as “probable” all tested positive for Covid with subsequent PCR Testing.  They were asymptomatic. 

We understand that many parents have shared privacy concerns and we would like to address those concerns in this email to each of you. 

  • The sole purpose of the screening is to detect “probable” COVID-19 cases before they become symptomatic.
  • To date, we have had no false positives detected with all significant findings detected through saliva screening confirmed through PCR testing.
  • The screenings do not provide any other information related to other illnesses.
  • The screening is not a DNA test nor does it provide DNA information to any parties involved.
  • The vials are removed from the manila envelopes that the samples are sent to school in before they are forwarded to the lab for testing.  Samples are identified by a barcode label only while in possession of the lab. The company has no personal information for any person participating.
  • The Barcode to name link is restricted to the D106 school nurses and technology department and is protected by the district.
  • Safeguard and District 106 do not use saliva samples for any purpose other than screening. All samples are disposed of on a weekly basis, minimally. Safeguard utilizes the same company (Stericycle) as used by Loyola and other research institutions in the Chicago area to remove similar medical waste.
  • The practice of salvia screening does not stall considerations of further in person learning but rather supports our internal measures and strengthens our safety mitigations.

If you have questions or concerns about the screening, please reach out to our district nurses.  Additionally, if you are interested in the screening but have encountered a barrier to participation, please contact our nurses.  They are a great resource for any questions and problem solving needed regarding the screening process.