Ms. Guy and LAPS School Board members,
Please update the official LAPS COVID-19 positive case count to include self-reported positive results from at-home COVID-19 tests. The current LAPS COVID-19 case count explicitly excludes positive at-home test results.
By excluding at-home COVID-19 test results, LAPS administration is disregarding NMDOH recommendations and is making critical health and safety decisions based on inaccurate data.
LAPS COVID-19 Positive Reported Case Counts "... only reflect lab confirmed cases reported to LAPS and positive tests identified through the “Test to Stay” program". Clearly, this means that positive results reported from at-home COVID-19 tests are not included in the official LAPS COVID-19 case count.
However, NMDOH recommends that if you receive a positive result from an at-home COVID-19 test, "you DO NOT need to get an additional PCR test ". Therefore, by following NMDOH recommendations, an individual who receives a positive at-home COVID-19 result does not follow up with a PCR test (aka "lab confirmation") and is excluded from the official LAPS case count.
Thank you for addressing this time-critical public health concern promptly,
Fran Gelfand
LAPS Parent
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