Beginning next week, Long Beach Unified will conduct randomized COVID-19 tests of unvaccinated students after relatively low numbers of cases in the first three weeks of school.

In a letter to parents on Thursday, LBUSD Superintendent Jill Baker said about 10% of each school’s unvaccinated students will be subject to the tests each week. The test will still be the same front-of-nose self-administered swab.

“The District will generate randomized lists of these students on a weekly basis using an automated, unbiased system,” said Baker in her letter. “The strategy of testing a representative sample will allow us to gather reliable data while minimizing the burden of testing among students and schools.”

The district is currently on a one-week pause in testing after the first three weeks of school turned up roughly 600 positive results among students, employees and visitors. Data from the district shows 594 students tested positive, and 37 employees.

In the third week of testing, the district’s positivity rate was .57% out of more than 20,000 students tested.

The district is also modifying its quarantine protocols.

Previously, students who were considered a “close contact” of a student who tested positive were required to quarantine at home. Under a new “modified” quarantine protocol, those students considered a “close contact” can now remain in school as long as the exposure happened while both were wearing masks, the exposed student remains symptom free, and they undergo additional testing (twice within a week).

“Scientific research and experience from around the nation demonstrate that when both parties are wearing face masks during the time of a potential school-based exposure to COVID-19, in-school transmission is unlikely, and students can safely continue in-person learning as long as certain precautions are taken,” Baker’s letter said.

Exposed students will still have to refrain from extracurricular activities until cleared to return. Vaccinated students considered a “close contact” of a student with a positive may continue to attend school in-person without additional precautions.

District leadership will host a video roundtable to answer questions and provide more information Friday at 4:30 p.m. The roundtable will be viewable live or at any point after at the district’s Youtube page.