Rapid tests are helping schools monitor COVID cases after the first week back in class

School is back in most states, as students and teachers learn to live with COVID-19. Photo: AAP

Rapid antigen tests have become a back-to-school essential, as the first week of Term 1 in NSW, Victoria and most other states comes to a close.

In NSW, more than 2417 students and 617 staff tested positive in the first week back, according to preliminary data.