Draper elementary school implementing 'Test to Stay' due to rising COVID-19 cases

DRAPER, Utah (KUTV) — An elementary school in the Canyons School District is implementing the state’s “Test to Stay” program due to rising COVID-19 cases – the first one in the district so far this school year to do so.

Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney told 2News the number of positive cases at Willow Springs Elementary in Draper has surpassed the threshold of 30 set by state law.

Therefore, starting Thursday at 9:00 a.m., Haney said students will be tested at the school for COVID-19 and will receive their results back within about 15 minutes.

Haney said if students test negative, they'll keep learning in person at school. If they test positive, he said, they'll go home and isolate.

If parents refuse to test their students Thursday at school, Haney said, those students have to isolate at home for 10 days or bring proof of a negative test done by a medical provider.

“We want to safeguard in-person learning,” Haney said. “When we had a school community reach that threshold, we obviously were required to do it, but we also felt it important.”

The district said the “Test to Stay” program as established by the state is important to remove those who may be positive but not have symptoms, so they don't continue spreading the virus at school.