Maine will provide fast-acting tests for diagnosing COVID-19 infections to public schools to help keep them open as teachers and staff wait to be vaccinated.

On Tuesday, Maine Department of Health and Human Services Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said the state has purchased at least 250,000 BinaxNOW rapid tests, which can produce results in 15 minutes, and will make them available for use in schools and long-term care facilities in coming months.