Los Angeles Unified launches COVID-19 testing and tracing program at schools to include research on impact and effect of reopening

Los Angeles Unified School District (Los Angeles Unified) has launched a program to resume in-person learning by offering regular COVID-19 testing and contact tracing to school staff, students and their families. The district found that virtual learning during the 2020 lockdown and restrictions did not enable all students to participate effectively, with disparities by race/ethnicity and family income. Los Angeles Unified is striving for equitable resumption of in-person learning that does not disadvantage students who live in communities with higher COVID-19 prevalence or populations such as essential and industrial workers with greater exposure risk. 

The UCLA Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is offering scientific and research support to this endeavor. CTSI researchers will provide real-time learning capability in the form of metrics and modeling that incorporates evolving COVID-19 science and technology. This research support includes studying this novel program and sharing lessons learned. The team science approach includes epidemiologic, public health, family medicine, infectious disease, microbiology, and socio-behavioral expertise as well as methodological expertise in statistical, epidemiologic, and causal modeling.  

This collaboration also includes Microsoft, Anthem Blue Cross and Health Net, testing laboratories, Stanford University, and the Johns Hopkins University. 

Read the full Los Angeles Unified announcement here. 

Additional information on the program is available here. 

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