Parents react to expansion of test-to-stay program to child care facilities

FORT MILL, S.C. — State health leaders have updated their recommendations for day care and child care centers about the use of the Test-to-Stay program.

The program allows kids who have been exposed to COVID-19 to avoid quarantining if they consistently test negative for the virus and do not exhibit symptoms.

Channel 9 reporter Tina Terry breaks down what this means for parents.

Some parents complained to state leaders about their young children being forced to stay home from day care due to exposure to COVID-19.

Test-to-Stay was designed to bring relief to those parents as well as to child care centers in our area.

ALSO READ: DHEC expands test to stay program to include childcare facilities; guidance updated

“We have three-and-a-half year-old twins, and they’ve been sitting home for a week, and my wife is not thrilled,” parent Adam Highsmith said.

Highsmith said his twins were exposed to the virus and had to miss five days of valuable day care class time because they had to quarantine, time he said they cannot get back.

“The socialization, the education, just all that human element — things we hope to get from the day care,” Highsmith said.

Highsmith said he is grateful for the program and called it a sign of progress.

“I think everyone wins in that scenario. I think ultimately that’s what we all want, even parents of kids who test positive. They want other kids to get the same option to stay in class,” Highsmith said.

ALSO READ: “Test-to-stay” policy endorsed by CDC, but local parents aren’t sold yet

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has recently approved the program for K-12 students and most recently for children in day care.

That updated guidance says:

“Kids who are close contacts can avoid quarantine if they do not have any symptoms and get tested twice: once on day 3 and again between days 5-7.”

“We know that all kids at this age and school age are doing best when they are in person with people. And they are used to their familiar routines and being with people,” DHEC Public Health Director Dr. Brannon Traxler said.

DHEC told Channel 9 that it will not be providing COVID-19 tests to day care facilities that participate in the program.

However, DHEC said parents can get free tests from the federal government and health departments in South Carolina.

(WATCH BELOW: Program offered to SC students, teachers exposed to COVID to stay in classroom)