The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) ended its School-Based COVID-19 Testing Initiative at the conclusion of the 2022–2023 school year. For the 2023–2024 school year, MSDH is offering free COVID-19 test kits to any school that requests them in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 in K-12 school settings.
Requesting Kits
Schools can request over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid home test kits or Point of Care COVID-19 rapid tests (with a valid CLIA waiver) by completing the online order form below.
- Test kits will be provided at no cost to the school.
- No reporting requirement is associated with the use of either type of COVID-19 test kit.
- No compensation will be provided to the school for requesting, distributing or performing the COVID-19 tests.
- CLIA Certificates of Waiver are required for Point of Care COVID-19 rapid tests, but not for over-the-counter COVID-19 rapid home test kits. (Note: MSDH no longer pays the CLIA Waiver fee.)
For questions related to the COVID-19 test kits or ordering, send e-mail to COVIDUnit@msdh.ms.gov.
COVID-19 Outbreaks in School Settings
If your school is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak, please review the CDC guidance below for K-12 schools and daycares:
If there are additional questions regarding this guidance, send e-mail to epicovidteam@msdh.ms.gov.
