Baker visits Nock-Molin to highlight school's COVID-19 pooled testing program

Feb. 26—NEWBURYPORT — Among those watching Nock-Molin Middle School students receive a COVID-19 test in the school library Friday was Gov. Charlie Baker, who stopped by for a first-hand look at how a school district conducts the state-driven pooled testing program.

Newburyport's middle school is one of about 950 learning institutions conducting pooled testing. In all about 300,000 students, staff and teachers, throughout the state are taking part in the weekly program. Its ultimate goal is to help bring students and teachers back into classrooms as soon as safely possible.

Pooled testing involves mixing several test samples together in a "batch" or "pool" and then testing the pooled sample for the presence of COVID-19. If the sample comes back negative, everyone tested is presumed to be COVID-19 free.

"This pool testing program which we were here today to take a look at is something that got launched as a first in the nation demonstration a few months ago, basically, to add a key tool to school districts and to schools which was the ability to do some sort of pretty consistent, relatively uncomplicated weekly surveillance program around testing," Baker said.

Joining the governor at the Low Street school were Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday, state Rep. James Kelcourse, R-Amesbury, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley and Secretary of Education James Peyser.

During the visit, Baker announced that "supply dependent," teachers could start getting vaccinated as soon as March.

He also echoed a statement he made a day earlier when he said getting the vaccine into people's arms was more of a supply issue than a capacity issue, and expressed optimism the federal government would be ramping up vaccine distribution soon.

Baker went on to say that any school district that would like to take part in the testing program was welcome.

"We'd love to have everyone in," Baker said, adding that one of the reasons he visited Newburyport was to highlight the program to other districts contemplating its usage.

The state is paying for the program until April 18. After that date, schools can continue pooled testing by purchasing the tests and any other accompanying testing materials, software, or support from a statewide contract using their own funding.