K to 12 schools throughout the province will soon have access to rapid COVID-19 tests.

It was announced Monday that 100,000 of the tests are being shipped to schools, and testing could begin as early as this week.

Teachers and staff will not be administering the tests, only those who have been trained through the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

"A rapid testing program in schools is another excellent tool to help monitor the presence of COVID-19," Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. "The safety of students, teachers, and school staff is our government's priority, and school staff and students have done an excellent job in helping to prevent transmission of the virus."

Schools will work with their local health officers to determine when testing is appropriate, and it will require consent from parents or caregivers.

Any positive test will have to be confirmed by the SHA, but any negative test will not need a follow-up as long as the individual is symptom-free.

"Our goal is the health and safety of all Saskatchewan residents," Health Minister Paul Merriman said. "This additional measure gives us another tool to monitor school environments and take further steps to protect the health and safety of staff and students if necessary."

The School Testing Deployment Plan for COVID-19 is being implemented by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.