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Colorado will give gift cards to students who participate in regular COVID testing at school.
Gov. Jared Polis announced Thursday that students who get tested through the state’s free school COVID testing program will be eligible for a $25 gift card for the first test and $10 for each subsequent test. In addition, participating schools will get $2.50 for each test administered and reported to the state public health department.
Colorado has set aside $173 million for a school-based testing program using rapid antigen tests. About 450 schools have signed up for the program, roughly 20% of Colorado’s 2,300 public and private K-12 schools.
“They’re contributing to a public good in getting tested,” Polis said. “It’s good for their parents to know, but there is a public benefit in being able to isolate the virus early and prevent spread.”Become a Chalkbeat sponsor
Colorado has budgeted for more than 3.9 million tests and incentives, the state health department said. Federal funds are covering the cost.
Read more on Chalkbeat Colorado.