Rapid COVID testing drops infection rate in schools; distancing, masks cut infection rate over 50%

(KERO) — A new study finds weekly rapid coronavirus testing can cut infections by 50 percent in high schools and 35 percent in primary schools. Those figures were the result of weekly antigen testing of all students, teachers, and staff.

The Rockefeller Foundation partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to make 20,000 tests available in six pilot cities. Those included Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

Each city developed testing programs that ran from October to mid-December.

The study notes social distancing reduces transmission by an estimated 88 percent so it is more effective than weekly testing. It also notes when everyone wears a mask infections are cut by 40 percent.