Unit 5 Schools receiving $1 million for COVID testing

Posted on December 23, 2020
The logistics of the on-site testing will be determined in the coming weeks. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Unit 5 schools will receive $1 million towards on-site COVID-19 testing, through partners Rivian and Reditus Laboratories.

Unit 5 spokesperson Dayna Brown said, motor company Rivian donated $500,000 to Reditus Laboratories for COVID-19 testing. Reditus then matched that amount, all together providing $1 million in testing available for Unit 5 students and staff. That’s the equivalent of 9,000 tests, at no cost to the district.

Reditus CEO Dr. Aaron Rossi said in a statement, “I am a McLean County resident and my wife and I have four school-age children.” Rossi continued, “So, we know firsthand the challenges of remote learning. It’s a tremendous hardship on the family. Everyone’s goal is to get the children back into the school buildings.”

“The convenience and timeliness of providing onsite testing for our staff and students will help Unit 5 better monitor
and control the spread of COVID in our schools,” Unit 5 Superintendent Kristen Weikle said.

The logistics of the on-site testing will be determined in the coming weeks.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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