COVID-19 Testing

In September 2024, the federal COVID test kit program will start again! You will once again be able to order free test kits to be mailed to your household at covidtests.gov. 

Free COVID home test kits are available for pick-up at the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, 619 Ann Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101, Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

You can find multiple other options for free COVID-19 testing! Search for no-cost COVID-19 testing near you through this CDC testing search tool:

CDC Testing Locator

Information on At-Home COVID-19 Testing

What are COVID Home Tests?

COVID home tests, also called "self-tests' or "over-the-counter tests," are a useful tool to help determine if you may be infected with COVID and provide results in 15-30 minutes. Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms.

These tests can be bought over the counter at many retail stores. You can also pick up free home tests at the Wyandotte County Public Health Department, 619 Ann Ave, Kansas City, KS 66101, Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Home tests are antigen tests. This is a different kind of test from the PCR test that is usually offered at hospitals and public health testing sites. Antigen tests are usually reliable but can sometimes be less accurate than PCR tests. Antigen tests and PCR tests do not detect antibodies which would suggest a previous infection and they do not measure your level of immunity. 

Home test kit expiration date information

Please note: Expiration dates have been extended on some home test kits.

See information on FDA-authorized home COVID tests, including expiration date extensions:

FDA COVID Home Test Info 

Home test instructions

BinaxNOW Instructions

If you got a BinaxNOW test, click here to view instructions on the manufacturer's website.

Flowflex Instructions

If you got a Flowflex test, go to flowflexcovid.com or view an instructional video here:

Flowflex instructions video

Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test - Instructions for Use for Healthcare Providers (fda.gov)

FlowfexCOVIDTestInstructions

 

InBios COVID Home Test Kits

InBios SCoV-2 Ag Detect Rapid Test - Instructions for Use (fda.gov)

InBios SCoV-2 Ag Detect Rapid Test - Instructions for Use (fda.gov)

Other COVID Home Test Kits

If you got another type of home COVID test, see information on FDA-authorized home COVID tests, with links to instructions and more information: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests  

 

Interpreting home test results

Most COVID home test kits include a "test card" or "test cassette" that displays your results in a small box with the labels "C" and "T (for "Control" and "Test"). Look for a line next to each letter.

If only a C line appears, the test is negative. If both a C line and a T line appear, the test is positive. The T line may be faint. If there is only a T line and no C line, or there is no line at all, the result is invalid and you will need to take a new test.

Graphic showing how to interpret home COVID test results

Guidance if You Are Sick 

In March 2024, the CDC released new recommendations about preventing the spread of respiratory viruses when you're sick. These steps can help reduce the spread of COVID and other illnesses, like flu and RSV. Recommendations include:

  • Stay home and away from others when you are sick. This includes symptoms like fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache.
  • Go back to normal activities once your symptoms are getting better overall for at least 24 hours, and you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
  • When you go back to normal activities, take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

Recommendations on Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You're Sick

Other Information on Preventing Respiratory Viruses

 

COVID Vaccine Appointments

Call (913) 573-8855 to schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Wyandotte County Health Department. 

 

Related Information

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