Top 5 Takeaways

1. TTS Adoption: One in five public schools in Los Angeles County adopted the Test to Stay (TTS) strategy, allowing students exposed to COVID-19 to remain in school if both the infected and exposed persons wore masks.
2. No Increase in Transmission: Schools implementing TTS did not see an increase in COVID-19 case rates among students, and no tertiary transmission was identified in these schools.
3. Disparities in Implementation: A higher percentage of disadvantaged schools did not implement TTS due to resource-related challenges.
4. Reduction in Lost School Days: Non-TTS schools lost an estimated 92,455 in-person school days due to quarantine, whereas TTS schools did not lose any in-person school days for quarantined students.
5. Public Health Implications: TTS can help maintain in-person learning without increasing transmission risk, but its implementation requires resources that may not be available in all schools.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Kimberly Harris-McCoy, kharris-mccoy@ph.lacounty.gov

Suggested Citation

Harris-McCoy K, Lee VC, Munna C, Kim AA. Evaluation of a Test to Stay Strategy in Transitional Kindergarten Through Grade 12 Schools — Los Angeles County, California, August 16–October 31, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1773–1777. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm705152e1

Summary

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health evaluated the Test to Stay (TTS) strategy, which allows students exposed to COVID-19 to remain in school under certain conditions. The study found that TTS did not increase COVID-19 transmission rates in schools and significantly reduced the number of lost in-person school days. However, resource limitations prevented many disadvantaged schools from adopting TTS.

Methods

The study analyzed COVID-19 case data from 78 school districts in Los Angeles County between August 16 and October 31, 2021. Schools were categorized based on whether they adopted TTS. COVID-19 incidence rates, secondary infection risks, and lost in-person school days were compared between TTS and non-TTS schools. Interviews with school district administrators were conducted to assess implementation challenges.

Discussion

The findings suggest that TTS is effective in maintaining in-person learning without increasing COVID-19 transmission risk. However, the implementation of TTS is resource-intensive, which poses a challenge for disadvantaged schools. The study highlights the need for additional support to ensure equitable access to safe in-person education.

Conclusion

TTS can be a valuable strategy for keeping students in school during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its success depends on the availability of resources. Efforts to simplify quarantine strategies and provide necessary support to disadvantaged schools are crucial for the widespread adoption of TTS.

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