At home COVID-19 tests
Rapid, over the counter
COVID-19 tests are now widely available. These tests provide results in 15
minutes. Rapid, over the counter tests are also known as home-based self-collected COVID tests, or antigen tests, like
BinaxNOW.
Below are some answers
to common questions about these tests and considerations for use.
Understanding
Results
What do
I if I test positive with an over-the-counter home-based rapid test?
If you have a positive result, consider yourself positive and:
- Isolate
for 10 days
- Tell
your close contacts and household members you have tested positive
- Close
contacts and household members also self-isolate (if they are
unvaccinated).
- Close
contacts and household members who have concerns for exposure can
self-test in 3-5 days or immediately if they become symptomatic.
If you use more than one test on a single individual and one of
the tests is positive, consider yourself positive and isolate for 10 days.
What do
I do if I think my over-the-counter home-based rapid test is a false positive?
If you test positive and don't have symptoms and weren't exposed
and are concerned this may be a false positive, consider getting a confirmatory
test through your healthcare provider or at one of Clallam County’s Testing sites: HowtoGetested.pdf
(clallam.net). Healthcare personnel must collect or observe the collection of
a confirmatory test.
For a confirmatory negative test to override a rapid test
result, the sample must be collected within 48 hours of the initial positive
home-based rapid test result.
If you test positive on the confirmation test, isolate from others for
10 days (starting when you initially tested positive or when your symptoms
started if you develop symptoms), regardless of your vaccination status.
What if
I have a negative result but I am concerned I have COVID-19?
If you are concerned that you might have COVID-19 because you
were exposed or have symptoms, then we recommend quarantining yourself and
getting another COVID-19 test.
If a repeat test is positive, isolate from others for 10 days
since your positive test, OR, if you develop symptoms, enter
isolation the date your symptoms started, regardless of your vaccination
status.
What
else do I need to know if I get a confirmation test?
When getting a confirmation test, wear your mask and tell the
swabber that you have either had a positive test with an at home
over-the-counter BinaxNOW test OR that you have had a concerning exposure or
symptoms consistent with COVID-19 BEFORE you remove
your mask.
How to
report positive results
If you
get a positive test result, notify the Clallam County Department of Health at
(360) 417-2430.
People with Seasonal Allergies
What is the difference
between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies?
COVID-19 is a contagious
respiratory illness caused by infection with a new coronavirus (called
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19). Seasonal allergies triggered by
airborne pollen can lead to seasonal allergic rhinitis, which affects the nose
and sinuses, and seasonal allergic conjunctivitis, which affects the eyes.
COVID-19 and seasonal
allergies share many symptoms, but there are some key differences between the
two. For example, COVID-19 can cause fever, which is not a common symptom of
seasonal allergies. The image below compares symptoms caused by allergies and
COVID-19.
Because some of the
symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal allergies are similar, it may be difficult to
tell the difference between them, and you may need to get a test to confirm
your diagnosis.
*Seasonal allergies do
not usually cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, unless a person
has a respiratory condition such as asthma that can be triggered by exposure to
pollen.
This is not a complete
list of all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or seasonal allergies. Symptoms vary
from person to person and range from mild to severe. You can have symptoms of
both COVID-19 and seasonal allergies at the same time.
If you think you have
COVID-19, follow CDC’s guidance on ”What to do if you are sick.” If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek
emergency medical care immediately.
Get more information
on COVID-19 symptoms, or more information
on seasonal allergy symptomsexternal icon.
How long should I wait to get tested if I think I’ve been exposed to the coronavirus?
We recommend waiting 5-7 days after your potential exposure to get tested. It typically takes 5-7 days after exposure for the test to report more accurate test results.
If you have any symptoms, get tested as soon as you can. If you can’t determine the exact moment when you were exposed, or you were exposed over a longer period of time, then get tested as soon as you can. If possible, avoid getting tested any earlier than 3 days after your potential exposure to prevent a false negative result.
https://publichealthinsider.com/2020/12/04/testing-and-traveling/
Clallam County Public Health is tracking our community concerns closely. Please go to this website for the most up to date information: http://www.clallam.net/coronavirus/
FAMILY RESOURCES
Protecting your family from COVID-19: Information and Resources
The Sequim School District and Clallam County Department of Health and Human Serviceshttp://www.clallam.net/coronavirus/index.html wants to be sure that you have the information you need to help keep your family healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our County’s Coronavirus Information site has answers to many commonly asked questions about COVID-19, such as:
If you have concerns for symptoms (Symptoms CDC website:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html) of the virus we recommend you call your medical provider for further instructions.
New Community Response Help Line, for more information please click on the link below:
Clallam County Offers Assistance