This metro Atlanta school hasn’t had a single case of COVID-19. How’s how they’re doing it

ATLANTA — Coronavirus has been the top concern for schools across the country, but after nine weeks of in-person learning one Atlanta school says it hasn’t had a single case of COVID-19.

It’s all as they use drive-thru testing to check students and parents.

The Galloway School in Buckhead has partnered with LifeHope Labs in Sandy Springs to provide the tests.

[SPECIAL SECTION: Coronavirus and Schools]

Each week the school sends between 50 and 75 random students and their families over to LifeHope labs for a rapid test, which includes a nasal swab. If they pass, they can participate in in-school learning.

Every weekday morning at 6 a.m., each parent uses a special app on their phone to conduct a remote temperature check – red for fever (stay at home for remote learning) and green means you can go to school that day.

So far, the school has a 100% negative test rate.

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The school reached out to the lab in the spring to come up with this testing protocol to try and keep their kids safe while in person learning.

“The parents have been very appreciative of it. I would say the kids… it’s mixed reaction. Getting your nose swabbed is never a fun thing,” said James Calleroz White from the Galloway School. “But they’ve all come to learn that this is our new reality. We want to be safe and we want to stay in school so when your name comes up, you come over here on Friday morning.”

The school reached out to the lab in the spring to come up with this testing protocol to try and keep their kids safe while in person learning.

In addition to the testing, the school requires mandatory masks, no lockers and socially distanced seating in classrooms.

About 85 percent of students are back at the school for in-person learning.

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Cox Media Group