By Scott Thomas

Austin ISD could test more students for COVID-19 via a new method where students from the same class put their swabs into one testing vial.

Why it matters: This new approach — called pooled testing — could allow Austin ISD to target campuses where students are testing positive more frequently and help slow the spread. 

• If a test comes back positive, we’ll know which classroom it came from, and will test individual students from there.

Yes, but: Because we’re testing more students, this could lead to more positive results in Austin ISD initially.

What’s next: Austin ISD will begin piloting this new testing approach to learn how well it works at Ridgetop Elementary on Oct. 19. 

• Parents have been notified and students will only get a test if their family gave consent.