Monday, May 29, 2023, BSD will be closed in observation of Memorial Day, an annual day of remembrance.
School will resume Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
COVID-19 Testing
Last updated April 7, 2023
Bellevue School District offers diagnostic testing for COVID-19. Diagnostic testing looks for infections in individuals who have symptoms of or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Diagnostic Testing
Staff and students who show any symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19 will be referred to test for COVID-19. Staff and students may be referred to test at home with a BSD provided rapid antigen test or with an outside provider. If someone tests positive, they should isolate for at least 5 days and until symptoms have significantly improved.
If someone tests negative, they will be asked to stay home until symptoms have improved, per the guidance in the Washington State Department of Health What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms flowchart.
Rapid Antigen Tests
Students and staff who develop symptoms at school may be sent home with a rapid antigen test for the parent or guardian to administer. If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please notify their school.
Students and staff may also contact their school nurse for additional rapid antigen test kits.
All BSD students, staff, and their families will periodically have the opportunity to receive free COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits through Central Office distribution events. Information on distribution events will be sent out to staff, students, and families accordingly.
COVID-19 Testing in King County
COVID-19 testing is available through King County. Please visit COVID-19 testing locations and guidance – King County for more information.
Order At-Home Tests
To support access to COVID-19 testing, the federal government is providing up to four (4) rapid antigen tests to each household. Order your household’s tests at COVIDtests.gov.
In addition. Washington State Department of Health has a website where you can request free, rapid, at-home COVID-19 test kits to residents of eligible communities. Sign up through Say Yes! COVID Test.
Diagnostic Testing – Frequently Asked Questions
What test is Bellevue School District using? Why was this test selected?
Bellevue School District offers rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. Washington State Department of Health recommends the use of antigen tests given the ability to obtain results within minutes and the need to identify positive individuals and isolate in a timely fashion.
What is the cost?
All BSD provided rapid antigen tests are free, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs or co-pay for students or staff.
What guidance does the BSD follow when there are positive cases?
Bellevue School District will follow Washington State Department of Health guidance when responding to positive cases. That information can be found on the Washington State Department of Health Symptom and Exposure Flowchart (PDF).
The antigen tests I have at home and tests being provided by the school are expired. Can they still be used?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the shelf life of many rapid antigen tests. Updated expiration dates for eligible tests can be found on the List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests. The Washington State Department of Health has also released Guidance on Using Expired COVID-19 Tests.