COVID-19 Test Kits Offered to WDMCS Students, Staff

  • West Des Moines Community Schools (WDMCS) is now offering COVID-19 test kits to students and WDMCS employees who request them. These free test kits are provided through Test Iowa, a program offered through the Iowa Department of Public Health and the State of Iowa Hygienic Lab. 

    To receive a test kit, please complete the form linked below.

    Request WDMCS COVID-19 Test Kit

     

COVID-19 Test Kit FAQs

  • How long will it take to get a kit?

    Posted by:

    Generally, test kits should be available within 24 hours of a request if the form is submitted on a weekday and before noon on Fridays. School nurses and Human Resources will monitor the form submissions during school hours. They will then complete the necessary documentation and email you a confirmation.

    Comments (-1)
  • As a parent/guardian, how do I pick up a test kit?

    Posted by:

    Once you complete the COVID-19 Test Kit Request form, the building nurse will document the request and email you a confirmation. You can then stop by your student’s school and pick up the test kit at the front office. Nurses will communicate with you if a different location in the school is where they will be available.

    Comments (-1)
  • Can a student pick up the test kit?

    Posted by:

    If a parent/guardian indicated they would like their student to pick up the test kit, the student can go to the school nurse's office to pick one up. The student should wait to go to the nurse's office until the parent/guardian has received an email confirmation from the school nurse.

    Comments (-1)
  • What do I do with the test kit once my student has taken the test?

    Posted by:

    You have two options:

    1. Mail the test kit into the testing lab using the envelope provided with the kit. You do not need to add postage to the envelope provided.
    2. Drop off the test kit to the Polk County Health Department. Their drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more >

    IMPORTANT: DO NOT return the test kit to any WDMCS building.

    Comments (-1)
  • Can other people tell if I’ve asked for a test kit for my student?

    Posted by:

    The health team documents requests in a confidential section in Infinite Campus per our WDMCS protocols.

    Comments (-1)
  • Who keeps track of which test kits are expired?

    Posted by:

    Building nurses and Human Resources follow a specific process to check expiration dates. They would then follow any requirements provided by the Polk County Health Department (PCHD) regarding destroying expired kits.

    Comments (-1)
  • General Overview

    COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus. It is being closely monitored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


    How it Spreads

    The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person.

    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
    • It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

    Learn more about how COVID-19 spreads

    Symptoms of COVID-19

    According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss of taste or smell
    • Sore throat
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

    Learn more on the CDC website

    Delta Variant

    According to the CDC, the Delta variant of COVID-19 is highly contagious, more than twice as contagious as previous variants. 

    The CDC says vaccines in the U.S. are highly effective — including against the Delta variant — and its research suggests that layered prevention strategies such as wearing face masks can help reduce transmission.

    Learn more about the Delta Variant

     

     

     

Last Modified on January 10, 2022