New Test To Stay Program For Students Exposed to COVID-19 In Erie County

The Erie County Department of Health announced that it launched its 'Test to Stay' program for students exposed to COVID-19. The new program will include 17 school districts and 11 non-public schools. The way the program works is, if a student has been exposed to COVID-19, they can opt to take a test, rather than quarantine if they are free of symptoms. The schools will work closely with the ECDOH Epidemiology School Team. The department is hoping that the schools will implement the program by the end of this week.

The Erie County schools and school districts include:

Alden Central School District
Akron Central School District
Amherst Central School District
Clarence Central School District
Cleveland Hill UFSD
Eden Central School District
Erie 1 BOCES
Frontier Central School District
Grand Island Central School District
Iroquois Central School District
Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda UFSD
Lackawanna City School District
Lancaster Central School District
Sweet Home Central School District
Tonawanda City Schools
Williamsville Central School District
West Seneca Central School District

Bishop Timon - St. Jude High School
Buffalo Seminary
Canisius High School
Christian Central Academy
Mount Mercy Academy
Nardin Academy
The Park School of Buffalo
Sacred Heart Academy
St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute
South Buffalo Charter School
Tapestry Charter School

The department expects more schools to participate in the near future.

Erie County Adds Five More Vaccination Sites For Children

The Department has added five new locations where children can get vaccinated. Explore & More-The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum, the Buffalo Zoo, Roycroft Campus, The Buffalo History Museum and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens will have vaccine clinics available starting this Saturday, January 25, 2022.

Saturday, January 15
9 am to 1 pm
Buffalo Zoo

Participating families will receive a free family pass for two adults and two children for the Buffalo Zoo, and free parking on January 15.

12 to 4 pm
The Buffalo History Museum

Participating families will receive a gift bag with treats and activities for children.

Saturday, January 22
9 am to 1 pm
Explore & More-The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum, Buffalo

Participating families will receive a free pass for Explore & More to be used on the same day or in the future.

12 to 4 pm
Roycroft Campus, East Aurora

Families may participate in a book giveaway and print-making activities.

Saturday, January 29
9 am to 1 pm
Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens

Participating families will receive a free family pass for four people on January 29th.

Parents and guardians must pre=register by visiting www.erie.gov/vax or by calling (716) 858-2929.

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