The School District of Palm Beach County will begin rolling out rapid COVID-19 tests to all schools next week.

According to Jay Boggess, who works with the school district, there are over 12,000 rapid tests available.

He said the district’s COVID-19 response involves three parts — social distancing in classrooms, mandatory masks on campus and the availability of rapid COVID-19 tests providing answers in a matter of minutes.

“If you are sick and you have symptoms, please stay home,” Boggess said. “But this is if an individual starts to develop while on campus that a school-based employee or student can come down and get this rapid test.”

Boggess said one of the 170 nurses throughout the district or a doctor will administer the test. A consent form must be signed by a parent or guardian before a test is given plus phone calls will be made, both pre- and post-test.