WAPS Encourages COVID Testing Before Return to School

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WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona Area Public Schools (WAPS) is encouraging students to test for COVID before returning to school on Monday, Jan. 3.  

Communications Coordinator John Casper told KWNO on Tuesday the district offered rapid take-home tests to students before they left for winter break last week. 

“It’s our hope that our families will use this test before returning back to school on Monday,” said Casper.  

Casper says there are other testing options in the community for families who did not get the rapid take-home test before the break. He says testing is not required for students to return to school.  

“We’re not going to be sitting there making sure ‘well did you get tested?’ It’s just something that we’re really encouraging to preserve as many in-person learning opportunities for all of our students as possible,” Casper said.  

WAPS has been offering free COVID rapid tests throughout the school year. The district recommends families who received the take-home rapid tests to do the first test on Wednesday, Dec. 29, and the second test on Sat., Jan. 1.  

Other COVID-19 testing options:  

• The Community Testing Site at the Winona Mall, 1213 Gilmore Ave., remains open. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Results are usually available within 36-48 hours.  
• Minnesota residents can request an at-home saliva test. Visit the website linked here to order an at-home test. 
• For information about testing available at Winona Health, visit this website.  
• There are numerous other free testing options available in Winona through pharmacies at Hy-Vee, Walgreens and Walmart.