reviews of 0044 covid test

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Reviews 1.4.

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day 2 reference sent by post when i…

day 2 reference sent by post when i need it for my location form .what a nonsense.flight tomorrow reference number by post

Date of experience : 16 March 2022

No test results for a month and won't answer emails or provide a refund

We ordered a 2 day test, took the test and sent it back as instructed. We didn't get any results for a month and now they refuse to reply to emails, their 'contact us form' or phone calls where we are asking for a refund. Oridinally they replied to the 2nd email saying they'd reply within 28 days but they've failed to do this too. I've used several other companies, all of whom have been reliable.

Date of experience : 24 February 2022

This is SCAM company they will take…

This is SCAM company they will take your moneys and keep laughing at you. No test no refund, contact tour bank to take your moneys back, and sldo as consumer rights act of 2015 and plus health regullations you are able to sue them for at least 150k£ due to health products were not delivered on time and they risk your health and life!

Date of experience : 06 January 2022

Guess what it's day 16 of my arrival…

Guess what it's day 16 of my arrival and expected pre-ordered day 2 test result -- and guess what there is no sign of what happened to my samples. Ordered arrived on 7th day and I shipped back the same day but no updates as of this moment. On top of that the instruction says don't put samples if you can post the same day (I assume the sample my get expired after a certain time), but what about the 5 days you take to process it? Absolute pathetic service, I can't believe gov.uk would put link to such fraudsters on approved list of testers.

Date of experience : 14 January 2022

The day 2 test arrived in day 6

The day 2 test arrived in day 6, after I sent the test back, the results has not yet arrived in day 12 (the day of writing this review). I wrote them, no answer. This is another money making company when there is not enough regulation from the gov. DON'T USE THIS COMPANY! I am trying to speak with Citizen's Advice and see how we can take this company OFF the recommended gov list and report their activity and shut them down.

Date of experience : 10 January 2022

Don’t use this company

Ordered a day 2 test to be there when I got back, been back 2 days now and still not arrived. Website says no refunds for any reason - not got what I paid for though?! Also only postage option is £10 next day delivery. I was sent a tracking number 3 days ago and when checking Royal Mail it still hasn’t actually been sent, they’ve just printed the label…joke of a company.

I had last minute issue with my test

I had last minute issue with my test. The company was excellent in the way they handled my case and their cooperation in the process was very helpful to cover my needs. I would like to thanks in particular Kim who assisted me through my struggles. I appreciate how fast you were able to help me .

Avoid this ‘scam’ company

Avoid this company, despite it being on the gov.uk site it’s a scam. If you can’t provide a service over known bank holidays don’t advertise it. My son arriving from USA booked ‘day 2’ test kit which should have been here on 30/12/21 and it has just arrived on 5/1/22 (day 7!) We had to pay again to another clinic where test done in person and results emailed in less than 24 hours.

Date of experience : 05 January 2022

Is -5 review possible? Cause that's the worth of 0044Test

Not sure what the story with them is, but the justifications they send you for the SO-SO-SO LONG delays are cereal! & finally when the test results arrived 8 days late, the email senders have the audacity to lecture you about how you needed to self-isolate. Are you kidding? Why do you think I need my results for?

Date of experience : 11 January 2022

I do not recommend

I booked the test one day before my departure and received the kit on day 3. I self tested and returned the kit within 2hours as I was desperate to get back to work as frontline worker but they show absolutely no considerations. The 24hour Royal Mail delivery happened 3days after. Forget calling this 0044 team- there will be no response. Email response during hours is fine but they do nothing other than normal process. I will be lucky if I receive my results 7days after landing- still waiting. My honest suggestion is 1. Do not book with these guys if you want prompt and timely test results. 2. They are expensive compared to others 3. Government says the prices are regulated- I think it is a massive lobby. Exploiting public.

Date of experience : 17 December 2021

No REQUIRED test results given

Ordered a day 2 PCR test for Travel when my results had not come by the night before my return flight I phoned and was told somebody would call me back before midnight (my flight was at 6:30am). they didn't call. So I called back in the morning to get them to give me my REQUIRED results, they hung up on me. I made alternative arrangments and then called the day after I had returned and asked for a refund, they hung up on me.... I rang again and was told they'd contact me with a manager and again... did not. Do not use this company they are crap at their jobs clearly for something that is government regulated this is a joke. I will demand a refund and failing that will go to ResolverUK and put a official complaint in against the company.

I will give a 1 star review because I…

I will give a 1 star review because I can't give 0 stars, I have been waiting for my day 2 PCR test for a week now and it still hasn't arrived at my address. It is simply ridiculous. It is also impossible to speak with anyone on the phone since every time you try to call, they automatically disconnect you before speaking to any advisor. We followed the government advise, we have done the passenger locater form where we select this company for our PCR day 2 test. I think it is simply unacceptable, they ask you to self isolate until you get your result back, but they never send you your test! My advise.. spends few more pounds do the test at Gatwick airport or wherever you can do it as soon as you get in the uk.. better value for money instead of having to self isolating for 7 days or having to spend money twice to book for another test!

Date of experience : 04 January 2022

they stole my money, will I ever get a refund?

I had quite a few test last year as I did travel but this is one of my worst experience! no result no response to my email, I want a refund but they ignore me....

Date of experience : 02 February 2022

Decided to buy from them a second day…

Decided to buy from them a second day test for a friend who was visiting the UK. I was with him to pickup the test on the 23rd of December and on that day I posted it to a priority box and to this day my friend did not received his result.. 2 weeks of waiting for nothing. I would not recommend this company that's why I am giving an one star review

Can i add no star at all??

Can i add no star at all?? i ordered the package day2 on 31/12/2021 and i arrived in UK on 4/1/2022! The package has been delivered 10/1/2022... Do i need to write more? I have asked for refund but still waiting for their answer... As usual, the call center is on the other side of the planet. I think that this company does exist only to make money providing the reference number and then disappear...

Don't use this company

My day 2 test arrived late, and apparently they never even processed my kit when I sent it back. The kit itself is lacking in instructions and they've clearly cut lots of corners to save money. Do not waste your money on this company.

Date of experience : 18 January 2022

8 days late - pure scam!

8 days late - Pure scam! I paid £43 for a day 2 test and paid extra for the 24h tracked delivery. The test arrived on day 9 after I arrived back in the country (8 days late). This meant that I had to quarantine for 10 days instead of 1. This could have cost me my job. They are not replying to phone calls or emails and are refusing to refund me. Avoid at all cost, pure scam.

Date of experience : 07 February 2022

never got results

My Day 2 arrived very late, over 2 weeks after ordering, and i never got my results once posted. Complete waste of money - do not use

Date of experience : 01 February 2022

I was just about to leave a bad review…

I was just about to leave a bad review like the many other people on here, as I received one less kit than I had ordered. But by doing a little digging and emailing this email address support @ rightangled.co rather than this one hello @ 0044covidtest.com , I got a reply within the hour from Rafael Daher, who apologised and assured me they would send a replacement kit. I'm not sure what's wrong with their system, clearly communication with customers needs to be improved!

Date of experience : 24 June 2021

Thumbs up, a good testing experience

I booked day 2/5/8 tests x 2 on a Saturday before my daughters returned to the UK on Sunday. The tests arrived on Wednesday, a bit late, but fine as they knew they'd have to quarantine until the 5th day regardless. As they both live in London they decided to drop the day 5 tests off in person at the Shoreditch point on Friday. Results were received late Friday night. We only learned about the possibility of dropping off the tests via another Trust Pilot review, so I recommend checking 0044covidtest.com help centre before booking your tests, so you know your options. After a terrible experience with Randox test to fly, 0044 have restored some of my faith in the system.

Date of experience : 17 July 2021

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Reviews 1.4.

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Absolutely terrible!

Absolutely terrible! They advertise their day 2 & 8 covid tests for £80 but once you pay - without showing this anywhere before you have paid - they charge you £35 for delivery. An absolute joke. I emailed them twice about cancelling my order as it is not even legal to hide charges like this. No answer. Avoid at all costs, cheaper providers are available with either free or normal price delivery. Scammers

Date of experience : June 17, 2021

Absurd. Test didn’t arrive on time so instead of day 2 testing it was day 4 when I finally managed to test myself. Also I didn’t get results until day 8 and still waiting. Very bad service.

Date of experience : January 11, 2022

TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY!

TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY! I bought a DAY 2 test with plenty of time before my return to UK. Nevertheless, the Covid test kit hasnt been delivered yet. I had to buy another one from RANDOX to do my DAY 2 test on time and avoid quarantine. AVOID THIS LAB!!!

Date of experience : January 06, 2022

SCAMMERS - DONT TOUCH WITH A BARGEPOLE

ordered day 2 and day 8 tests, they were charged but NEVER delivered. on day 11 the delivery tracking said it still hadnt been dispatched, then tracking options completely disappeared from the app. I requested a refund many times in the first 7 days - NO RESPONSE. They finally replied MISQUOTING their own terms and conditions and outright refusing a refund. 100% scam - do not waste your money.

Date of experience : June 14, 2021

Missing kit and no results

Day 2 and 8 test package was sent with one set of kit. Yet to receive the kit for day 8 or results for day 2 test we sent back. Another company taking advantage of citizens in absence of regulations or support from the government.

Date of experience : December 07, 2021

I personally wouldn't use this company…

I personally wouldn't use this company for their Test to Release tests. I sent my sample off on Day 5 and its now Day 8 and the lab still hasn't 'received my sample' even though Royal Mail has said it's been delivered and the sample had guaranteed 24 hour tracking. I understand that they do not receive deliveries on Sundays and that they are busy but what an absolute waste of money. Luckily the guy from customer service offered a full refund if I still do not hear back within 24 hours.

Date of experience : July 27, 2021

Scammed by another over priced Covid…

Scammed by another over priced Covid Test provider. Gov.com recommended even though test is £20 but had to pay £89 (the rest was postage!!!!!!!!!!) Sent through order confirmation under the 00 44 Covid Test email and then sent the ref (needed for Passenger Locator Form) from a company called Triangled which ended up in my Junk box so I had to buy another test from somewhere else in order to catch my flight. I rang them 16 times to find out where the reference could be found and each phone call was ended by them and to date I have still not managed to get through to them. Avoid like the plague - Avoid Avoid Avoid - Scammers

Date of experience : August 23, 2021

Very poor service

Very poor service. I didn't receive my Day 2 test kit on time. They sent a replacement, but then results were delayed again for more than 3 days. So paying a day 2 test for no reason since I had to stay self isolated for 10 days.

Date of experience : January 09, 2022

DO NOT USE IF YOU NEED FIT TO FLY TEST

Probably the worst customer experience I have ever had. We needed a fit to fly certificate and sent our tests back 72 hours before we flew as per the guidelines. We got out tests results back after 60 hours meaning we couldn't fly. No response to emails or phone calls when I was urgently trying to contact them. They eventually responded saying they did the test within 72 hours of receiving the kit so no refund is possible - what is the point of offering a fit to fly test if they can't deliver in time!

Date of experience : July 04, 2021

Don't waste your nerves and money

Ordered here Fit to fly test 4 days it prior to flight. They will charge you 30 pounds on top of test price for the courier delivery(not mentioned before you are checking out) and will deliver it in 2 days with no status updates. After you will miss all your terms, they will no longer responsible for the results, as they are just 'providers', and lab is not their responsibility.

Date of experience : June 15, 2021

Got back 9 days ago - still no day 2 result

I returned from holiday 9 days ago and haven't received my day 2 results back. When I tried to ask them about this they said they guarantee results within 48h unless they're 'busy'. I've spoken to 2 people in customer service in the last week and still haven't received any results.

Date of experience : August 16, 2021

SHAME ON YOU!

Why are these scammers listed on the GOV.UK list of approved COVID test suppliers? Parent company registered with CQC, seriously??? No test received, impossible to contact them. Should be truly ashamed of themselves.

My experience matches that of the…

My experience matches that of the reviewers below and purchasing the Day 5 test to release kit was a complete waste of money. Don't bother. It's now day 8 and I haven't received the results. They've been shown as received by the lab for the past 3 days! I've checked the company's refunds policy and it's (a) a wholesale avoidance of liability or any chance of a refund, and (b) incredibly poorly drafted...giving a clear indication of the low rent fly-by-night companies the British Government has happily promoted as trusted suppliers. A national disgrace and no doubt a money-making scandal, with zero Government oversight, we'll read about in years to come.

Date of experience : July 26, 2021

Seems great at first

While the service seemed great initially, their system has missed one of my tests. Update: Thanks for your reply. I followed the same steps as my partner and registered my kit as a day 2 + day 8 pack and scanned both bar codes when I created my account. The only difference was that I opted to create my account with Google instead of just using an email. My partner got the results fine.

Date of experience : July 24, 2021

A very bad service , Be careful I won't use this company again and will alert all my friends and family not use this company . I am using the ombursman and no matter how long is going t

A very bad service , they charge me twice for items and are not willing to refund me , you can't get hold of them by phone and via emails ll they keep saying is our policy don't give refund back . Be careful I won't use this company again and will alert all my friends and family not use this company . I am using the ombursman and no matter how long is going to take I will get my money back

Date of experience : August 11, 2021

SCAM!!! Why this website on government website?! I order the kit and they didn’t send me reference number!!! I couldn’t submit the form without. I spend a fortune buying another kit from other company And 0044 covid test not even responding to my emails, plus they don’t have contact number! Someone needs to take them down! 🤬

Date of experience : June 23, 2021

Please do not use for COVID tests

If you're travelling into the UK from abroad, please, please do not choose this provider for day 2 and day 8 covid tests! My tests didn't arrive on time despite booking them plenty of time in advance. I couldn't get any help from customer support, I stayed on hold for half an hour several times and no one ever picked up. And now my results are nowhere to be found, and I have no idea who to contact to find out what happened to my tests. On top of all this, don't trust the prices they advertise on the government's website, they don't include the outrageous £35 for shipping! Catastrophic service, it's outrageous that this company is listed on the government's list of trusted providers.

Date of experience : June 25, 2021

SCAMMERS !!! Disgusting company

After writing a bad review here, Abbie, a worker told me to contact her so she could help me. After 1000 emails again, and you waste my time again, they look for a thousand excuses not to give me my money back, which I was supposed to have 2 months ago. This company is shameful. Do not buy anything, they are scammers and not professional at all.

Date of experience : September 11, 2021

Pretty good except they need a reminder for Passenger locator references

I'm writing this review to highlight an important point to all users. I booked three tests online, and got an invoice number, but not the Passenger Locator reference number. For this specific critical locator number, I had to send a reminder to them, to which they responded after around 4 hours. Other than this, everything worked just fine. I got the tests exactly when promised i.e. a day after booking, and had the results a day after I sent them by Royal Mail. Essentially, a perfectly fine company with one critical flaw - they don't send the passenger locator numbers unless reminded. As I see it, 90% of their (many) poor reviews are due to this issue. Not sure why they don't rectify it , as it really is a critical requirement. To anyone planning to use them , do so only if you have a few hours to wait. Not if you are at the airport already. Hope this makes sense. Bye

Date of experience : September 04, 2021

Not as bad as eveyone makes out!

I had read so many negative reviews of this service that I almost didn't bother booking. I decided to take the gamble as they were so much cheaper than many other test providers. I booked 3 day 2 tests, which were delivered within a couple of days. We had no problem undertaking the tests after our trip - instructions were very clear. I made a mistake registering my test so i called the customer service team who quickly helped resolve the issue. We sent our tests off via Royal Mail using the prepaid envelopes provided on a Tuesday and got the results on the Friday - so exactly as promised. My only criticism is that there is no way to register a child's test within a parent's account. You have to create a separate account for each person, for which you need an email address. Being 5, my son doesn't have one, so I had to use my work email, which is not ideal.

Date of experience : August 13, 2021

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MIT Technology Review

• Newsletters

We reviewed three at-home covid tests. The results were mixed.

Over-the-counter coronavirus tests are finally available in the US. Some are more accurate and easier to use than others.

• Antonio Regalado archive page

Update, January 2022: This article discusses false positives from covid-19 home tests. Some recent scientific studies have found that rates of false positives can be several times less than those estimated by manufacturers. High levels of covid-19 in the community also greatly reduce the chance any positive test you get is a false positive. MIT Technology Review encourages you to use rapid tests if you can find one. In addition, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says there is evidence rapid tests may have reduced ability to detect the omicron variant, meaning home tests would have a higher chance of a false negative, or not detecting covid-19 even though you have it. Read more on self-testing from the CDC  here  and from the FDA  here .

Over-the-counter home tests for covid-19 are finally here. MIT Technology Review obtained kits sold by three companies and tried them out.

After buying tests from CVS and online, I tested myself several times and ended up learning an important lesson: while some people worry that home tests could miss covid cases, the bigger problem may be just the opposite. These tests have “false positive” rates of around 2%, which means that if you keep using them, you’ll eventually test positive, even though you don't have covid-19.

That happened to me. I tested negative several times, but the fourth time the result came up “POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.” I knew that was probably wrong—I’m a dedicated quarantiner who rarely goes anywhere. But I was sufficiently alarmed to follow the directions and scurry to a hospital for a gold-standard laboratory test, wasting my time and that of the friendly nurse who swabbed deep into my nasal cavity. That result was negative.

Some experts have argued that cheap, fast tests could be used to screen the whole population every week. But what I learned is that this type of mass screening could be as much of a public nuisance as pandemic-buster. In fact, if you tested everyone in the US tomorrow with over-the-counter tests, the large majority of positive results—maybe nine out of 10—would be false alarms.

After trying them, I do think there is an important role for consumer tests. Overall, I found they’re easy to use, cheaper than existing mail-in tests, and more convenient than waiting at a testing site. If you have symptoms, or fear you’ve been exposed, having a test handy could help. As a screening tool for schools or businesses, they could also work, so long as there’s a backup plan to confirm positives.

Accuracy issues

The issue with home tests is accuracy, which is between 85% and 95% for detecting covid. That is, they catch about nine of every 10 infections, a metric called the test’s “sensitivity.” Some people have said that any missed cases are a worry, since a person with a false negative could go out and infect someone else. But if the alternative is no test at all, then none of those infections would be caught.

The tricky part of unrestricted testing, I learned, comes instead from the concept of “specificity,” or the rate at which a test correctly identifies negatives. For the home tests I tried, that figure is about 98%, with a corresponding 2% rate of false positives. What I didn’t realize—and what your everyday CVS shopper won’t either—is that there are two ways that less-than-perfect specificity can get amplified into a bigger problem.

The first way is through repeat testing, the kind I did. By the time my review of the home tests was complete, I’d tested five times in two days, accumulating 1 in 10 odds of being told I had covid when I didn’t (a 2% chance of a false positive each time, multiplied by five tests). The second source of trouble I didn’t anticipate is what is known as “pretest probability.” As I said, I don’t socialize, so my probability of actually having covid in first place was very low, maybe even zero. What this meant is that my chance of a correct positive when I took the test was also essentially zero, while my false positive chance remained 2% like everyone else’s. The way I was using the test, any positive result was nearly certain to be wrong.

Now consider this same phenomenon—a higher chance of false positives than of real ones—applying to a large group, or even a whole country. In the US, covid rates are falling. This lower background rate means if home tests were used by everyone in the country tomorrow, there could be five to 15 wrong positives for every right one.

As a result, I don’t think home tests are as useful as some have hoped. If used at scale to screen for covid, they could send millions of anxious people in search of lab tests and medical care they don’t need.

Still relevant?

As the covid-19 pandemic spread around the globe last year, economists and scientists called for massive expansion of testing and contact tracing in the US, to find and isolate infected people. But the number of daily tests in the US has never much exceeded 2 million, according to the Covid Tracking Project , and most of those were done in labs or on special instruments.

Home tests will now be manufactured in the tens of millions, say their makers, but some experts aren’t sure how much they will matter at this point. “The real value of these tests was six months ago,” says Amitabh Chandra, a professor at Harvard University’s Kennedy School. “I think that the move to over-the-counter is great, but it has limited value in a world where vaccines become more widely available.” Vaccination credentials could be more important for travel and dining than test results are.

Companies selling the tests say they are still a relevant strategy for getting back to normal, especially given that kids aren’t getting vaccinated yet. For employers who want to keep an office or factory open, they say, self-directed consumer tests might be a good option. A spokesperson for Abbott told me that they might also help people “start thinking about coordinating more covid-conscious bridal showers, baby showers, or birthday parties.”

The UK government started giving away covid antigen tests for free, by mail and on street corners, on April 9, saying it wants people “to get in the habit” of testing themselves twice a week as social distancing restrictions are eased. Along with vaccines, free tests are part of that nation’s plan to quash the virus. Later, though, a leaked government memo said h ealth officials were privately worried about a tsunami of false positives .

In the US, there’s no still no national campaign around home tests or subsidy for them, and as an out-of-pocket expense, they are still too expensive for most people to use with any frequency. That may be for the best, given my experience.

Types of tests

The three tests we tried included two antigen tests, BinaxNow from Abbott Laboratories and a kit from Ellume, as well as one molecular test, called Lucira. In general, molecular tests, which detect the genes of the coronavirus, are more reliable than antigen tests, which sense the presence of the virus’s outer shell.

Everything you need is in one box, except in the case of the Ellume test, which must be paired with an app. Overall, the Lucira test had the best combination of advertised accuracy and simplicity, but it was also the most expensive at $55.

We didn’t try Quidel QuickVue, another antigen test, or a molecular test from Cue Health. Those tests, while authorized for home use, are not being sold directly to the public yet.

After trying all the tests, I am not planning to invest in using them regularly. I work from home and don’t socialize, so I don’t really need to. Instead, I plan to keep at least one test in my cupboard so that if I do feel sick, or lose my sense of smell, I will be able to quickly find out whether it’s covid-19. The ability to test at home might become more important next winter when cold and flu season returns.

BinaxNow by Abbott

Time required: about 20 minutes Price: $23.99 for two Availability: At some CVS stores starting in April. Abbott says it is making tens of millions of BinaxNow tests per month. Accuracy: 84.6% for detecting covid-19 infections, 98.5% for correctly identifying covid-19 negatives

This is the at-home version of the fast, 15-minute test the White House was using last year to screen staff and visitors. It’s an antigen test, meaning that it examines a sample from a nasal swab to detect a protein in the shell of the virus. It went on sale in the US last week, and I was able to buy a two-test kit at CVS for $23.99 plus tax.

The technology used is called a “lateral flow immunoassay.” In simple terms, that means it works like a pregnancy test. It’s basically a paper card with a test strip. As the sample flows through it, it hits antibodies that stick to the virus protein and then to a colored marker. If the virus is present, a pink bar appears on the strip.

I found the test fairly easy to perform. You use an eye dropper to dispense six drops of chemical into a small hole in the card; then you insert a swab after you’ve run it around in both nostrils. Rotate the swab counterclockwise, fold the card to bring the test strip in contact with the swab, and that’s it. Fifteen minutes later, a positive result will show up as a faint pink line.

The drawback of the test is that there’s room for two different kinds of user error. It’s hard to see the drops come out of the dropper, and using too few could cause a false negative. So could swabbing your nose incorrectly. Unlike the other tests, this one can’t tell if you’ve made a mistake.

And besides the prospect of user error, the test itself has issues with accuracy. BinaxNow is the cheapest test out there, but it’s also the most likely to be wrong, missing about one in seven real infections. Abbott cautions that results “should be treated as presumptive” and “do not rule out SARS-Cov-2.”

But a buyer won’t find the accuracy rate without digging into the fine print. The company also buries a crucial requirement imposed by regulators: to compensate for the lower accuracy, you are supposed to use both tests in the kit, at least 36 hours apart. I doubt a casual buyer will realize that. The two-test requirement is barely mentioned in the instructions.

Lucira Check-It

Time required: about 40 minutes Price: $55 Availability: Can be purchased online at lucirahealth.com Accuracy: 94% for positives, 98% for negatives

Of all the kits I used, Lucira was far and away my favorite. This is a laboratory-type test, with techniques similar to those used by professional labs, and you feel a little bit like a scientist using it.

Since it’s not in stores yet, the Lucira test needs to be ordered online, and I would suggest doing so well before you need it. The first test I purchased took five days to arrive, leaving me anxious about its whereabouts. The company says you can track its packages, but I wasn’t able to access any tracking data until after my kit arrived. I ordered a second test, this time paying $20 for express shipping, and I still couldn’t find the tracking information.

At $55, this is the most expensive test we reviewed, so it’s not something you’ll use too often. Still, it’s about half the cost of the mail-away swab tests from companies like Vault Health—previously my go-to option for avoiding hospitals and crowded testing facilities, as when I needed to test my kid last July so she could go to sleep-away camp. Those mail-in tests give an answer within 48 hours. With Lucira, you’ll get your answer in under an hour.

The test kit includes a swab, a tube of purple chemicals, and a small battery-operated base station. It works with a technology called LAMP, a molecular method that makes copies of a coronavirus gene until the amount is large enough to detect. That means it’s nearly equivalent to PCR, the gold-standard test used by labs. Unlike PCR, a test using LAMP doesn’t need rapid heating and cooling, so it can be run at home.

After swabbing your nose, you stir the swab in the tube and then then click it into place in the base station. After half an hour, one of two LED lights turns on, saying either “Positive” or “Negative.” I found the Lucira test’s readout the easiest to understand.

Ellume Home Covid Test

Time required: about 45 minutes Price: $38.99 Availability: Available online at CVS.com The company says it is shipping 100,000 tests a day to the US from Australia and will be manufacturing 500,000 tests a day in the US by the end of the year. Accuracy: 95% for positives, 97% for negatives

Home tests still aren’t easy to find, and I couldn't find a pharmacy that stocked Ellume , a test marketed by an Australian company of the same name. But the company had previously sent me a sample kit, which I used in this review. As of this week, the Ellume test can also be purchased through the website of CVS.

Of all the tests I tried, Ellume’s had the most components—five, versus three for the others. That tally included an app that you have to download onto your phone. Including resetting your Apple ID if you forget it, as I always do, and answering the app’s questions, including your name, address, and phone number, plus a break to get a cup of coffee, this test took longer to carry out. Budget an hour if you decide to read the app’s privacy policy and terms and conditions.

Like the Abbott test, Ellume’s is an antigen test. But it is a more sophisticated one, with embedded optics and electronics that read a fluorescent result. In addition to looking for the virus, it also detects a common human protein, so if you didn’t swab you nose correctly, the test will know.

Thanks to these bells and whistles, and a special swab, Ellume has a higher accuracy rate for spotting covid than other antigen tests, missing only one in 20 infections, according to the company. The drawback is that it is 50% more likely than other tests to falsely inform you that you are positive for covid-19 when you are not. Indeed, my false positive result occurred while using this test.

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0044covidtest   reviews.

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Don't trust them

Don't trust them! They said they will deliver the Day-2 test on 30/12 but I received it 5/01. If you need to provide Day-2 test for work, you will be in trouble. They do not refund your money.

Date of experience : 05 January 2022

Scammers !!!

I Pay for day2&8 the were receive on time now I’m in day 7 I have sent the day2 no answer at all! You can’t contact them via email or phone it’s absolutely disgusting! Waste of time and money!

Date of experience : 19 June 2021

Avoid avoid avoid

Avoid avoid avoid. Ordered day 2&8 kits on the 9th June, 3 weeks later and they still never arrived. I kept being told “they are on the way”. Well my 10 days are over now. Got a test to release separately and that arrived. Got the results on day 8 morning though so took ages. Don’t waste your time or money.

Date of experience : 29 June 2021

This is false advertising and scum. Anyone buying from this company is an idiot

Date of experience : 05 December 2021

Another slimy company cashing in on the…

Another slimy company cashing in on the pandemic. No refunds policy after charging £190 for 3 simple tests? Disgusting.

Date of experience : 28 July 2021

I could have give more..

I find the website really nice done and well organise. I ordered a PCR test on site but it seemed online I had to do it there or do it in my vehicle and give it to them, but the guy in hammersmith said I should have send it via post Royal mail, and that would have take 1 to 3 days to be received to the lab. I was confused because in the website is not written that! Was unclear for me.. But fortunately I realise in the instruction paper that I could have drop off the test in a clinic that works with them in Nothing hill, I brought it there and the day after I receive the result. I was reliefe then. Due to gov rules changing and work reason I had to book another test last minute 2 days before the 1th I ordered (I had to flight back in london ASAP) was for the friday, I order the 2nd the wednesdsay. I did that one and result negative. I needed to go and pick up the kit in friday but I would've been busy that day so I contacted the customer service for reschedule my appointment 1 day before. The girl chatting with me in the website didn't want to reschedule it saying they don't use to reschedule appointment, so I told her it was impossible cause they have a reschedule link in the appointment email (the link wasn't working on my laptop), there she kept going saying she cannot do it due to busy Cristmas time, so I told her they had a lot of slot avaiable at the time I could have pick it up (I could have gone to take it in 10 minutes, there was more than 25 slot avaiable from that time until 3 hours after). She continued with that refusing and I quit asking. It was just a simple request to take the test before the appointment in a time they were not really busy, I could see online there was lots of slots avaiable between 10minutes to 3 hours I could have gone the same day! Hopefully the company will change this (policy??) they got and be more comprehensive in this topic with people... Please 0044covidtest (Rightangled company) start to be more clear in what you write in the website and to be more comprehensive with people needs.

Date of experience : 09 December 2021

Another scam company

Another scam company - advertising a price that doesn’t exist as you have to add £35 for delivery - if anyone needed proof of how crap life would be without NHS just needs to try and book a covid test from the government website

Date of experience : 07 July 2021

The government advertise these in their website

Do not use this company from the .gov uk website they have not issued my test that I ordered over a week ago. These need to be reported to the cqc and reading standard s

Date of experience : 16 June 2021

Do not order from this company ...

I am sorry to say that this has not been a great experience. I ordered my Day 2 and Day 8 test last Saturday. I received a confirmation e mail. So far so good. I then received the order details on Monday along with the tracking details for the shipment. Again everything seemed fine at this stage. On Wednesday I hadn't received the parcel. I contacted the courier and discovered that they hadn't received the shipment and so were not in a position to send the parcel. As of today (Friday) the courier has still not received the order for delivery. Your website pretty much says no refunds under any circumstances. But it also says that: "Kits ordered before 1 pm are currently being dispatched on the same day for a next working day delivery." I ordered in plenty of time and I feel that you have not kept your delivery promise. To that end I feel that I should be due a refund. I have now sourced a separate kit elsewhere so that I can get the result back to Test and Trace (who ring every day). I have tried ringing a few times but the line is constantly busy. I have e mailed twice but have not received a reply. As a result I'm sorry to say that I am an unhappy customer and want to make others aware that they may face the same difficulties. Please note that I will now not accept a parcel and it will be returned to you. My order number is ORDER #UKCT11176 A reply would be greatly appreciated to acknowledge that a refund will be processed. Many thanks. Yours - Tim

Date of experience : 11 June 2021

Very bad service with rightangled

Very bad service with rightangled. Still don't have result. It is all the time a different person that replied ... Again thieves

Date of experience : 09 September 2021

Don't use THEM, they are a GREEDY company. SENT TWICE the same kit.. There is NO CONTACT number. The support is HORRIBLY SLOW and they are MORE EXPENSIVE

They are a BIG SCAM.i was stuck at eurostar and booked a kit. after I paid I didn't receive the PCR booking reference required to fill the locator form. Although on their website there is a pop up that says that once the order is placed you would receive the CODE. As I thought that I did something wrong I tried again and as I didn't receive any code I decided to book through another provider who sent me the code in 10 MINUTES!!! And of top of this they WERE CHEAPER.. £85 vs £95.45!! £10 more for a horrible service... After I booked with the other provider I SENT 2 EMAILS to ask them to CANCEL.. I had checked my emails and more than 40 minutes later hadn't received anything.. One person replied stating that they saw me going xxx times on their website and nevertheless they sent 2 packs and said that I can't get a refund.. He told me that I can keep them in shelf for 12 months and that I would receive 2 codes for when I travel.. Crazy!! by then the prices will be slashed by 2 and not even sure that I will need them as I am fully vaccinated. For their convenience they CAN'T BE CONTACTED BY PHONE but when they receive emails it seems that they don't act too. It is a disgrace that the government put third party companies as legit when they are surely intermediaries cashing on commissions... I believe that they took this name ONLY to APPEAR FIRST IN THE WEB SEARCHES If I don't get my MONEY BACK I will post my comments on ALL FORUMS and complain to NHS.. I have paid 95.45 x2 ie £190.90 for no reason but it will help people to know my experience and that they are greedy people cashing in on the current situation..

Date of experience : 20 July 2021

Pay for a day 5 test. Get the result on day 12.

0044 Covid Testing is some sort of subsidiary/reseller of a company called Rightangled.co you should avoid them. When you purchase a test from 0044Covidtest you are in fact dealing with Rightangled which isn't made clear on their website. Below is my battle with these people to get my results and my money back. _____ I posted my test to release sample on day 6 of my quarantine. Royal Mail's tracking service indicated that it arrived at it's destination on the morning of day 7. Bizarrely Rightangled's website didn't show the same information. It still said to the effect of "waiting for delivery of sample" on it's website's tracker. I emailed Rightangled to ask why Royal Mail had said they had delivered it but they hadn't acknowledged it on their end and they said "Royal Mail takes up to 3 days to reach our labs." which actually avoided answering my question as Royal Mail have already told me they delivered it in 24 hours using "Royal Mail 24". One of their service reps told me that I shouldn't have used Royal Mail 24 even though they included it with the pack and offered no warning that it might cause a delay. This is all nonsense though as we already know that Royal Mail delivered it in 24 hours and have confirmed this. They then told me that when the lab recives the sample that it will take up to two days to get a result. So in their own words, for a day 5 test to release pack: It takes up to 3 days to recieve the sample (apparently even if Royal Mail say they delivered it sooner) and then a further 2 days to get a result. Meaning you'll probably get a result on day 10 rendering the whole test to release scheme totally pointless. They still continue to sell these test packs on their website in spite of this obvious issue and it is stated that no refunds available for covid 19 testing. I finally received my result today (Day 12) far later than would have been useful. Afrer repeatedly pointing out my rights as per the 2015 Consumer Rights Act they eventually somewhat relented and refunded me for the cost of the tests (£60) but not the cost of delivery (£35) for this "service" which was pointlelssly petty considering everything they had put me though. I sent my day 8 test to a different provider named Biograd Diagnostics at 2pm on day 8 and recieved my result at 7:35pm the very next day. The postal service used?... Royal Mail 24. I read a lot of the reviews on here and assumed that only people who complained left reviews so I just dismissed them. That was my mistake. I would strongly recommend avoiding Rightangled and 0044CovidTest when it comes to doing covid testing. They are not capable of providing the service and should be removed from the government's list of providers in my view.

Just don't bother

Super slow turn around of results. Day 5 test to release, back late on day 9 ... Glad we spunked cash on that then.

Date of experience : 01 August 2021

Not Fit For Purpose

We purchased three day 2 & 8 Covid PCR tests from 0044 Covid Test, aka Rightangled. They promise results within 24 hours of test receipt on their website. We are on day 10 of isolation. My wife's day 2 result was received on day 8. I got mine on day 9. As for my son's, we're still waiting on day 10. We also sent our day 8 tests two days ago. Royal Mail delivered them yesterday at 08:05. Rightangled haven't turned these tests around within the advertised 24 hour period - in fact, their online portal still advises that they haven't received them! This is particularly frustrating, as we purchased day 5 test to release with another company at significant cost. That company got us our results within 24 hours - but we couldn't exit isolation because none of our day 2 tests were back! We went with 0044 Covid Test / Rightangled because they were on the government approved list, and were generally cheaper than other providers. Well I guess you get what you pay for - go "cheap", get poor service. I have since found out that the company has previously allegedly been reprimanded by the regulator UKAS, and accused of defrauding New Yorkers by the State's Attorney General, as reported by The Times in May 2020. Not fit for purpose, avoid at all costs. THIS IS THE REPLY FROM RIGHTANGLED, 0044 COVID TEST'S PARENT COMPANY, ON MY IDENTICAL RIGHTANGLED REVIEW: Reply from Rightangled 3 hours ago Hi Leo, Thank you very much for your feedback and review. Rest assured that we listen to all feedback given so that we can provide a better service in the future. I have checked your account and can see that your Day 2 results are now ready. Your Day 8 sample was received by the lab on 8/8/2021 11:45:07 AM, meaning that you can expect to receive the results within 48 hours! If you are having difficulty navigating your online account, please contact our friendly Customer Service team for more help. You can also visit our FAQs page for further information. Kind regards, Rick AND THIS IS MY REPLY The response is factually incorrect on two counts: 1) Our day 8 samples were delivered by Royal Mail on 07 August 2021 at 07:38, 08:04 and 08:05 respectively. I have tracking numbers proving this. They were not delivered on 08 August at 11:45 as stated. If it takes 27 hours to get from the postroom to the lab, then clearly there are some internal logistical issues. Which brings me to turnaround times: 2) The advertised turnaround time, on the 0044 Covid Test website, is as follows (direct quote from the website): "Your results will be available online within 24 hours from the date the sample reaches the lab." So not 48 hours as advised in the reply. We should have received them this morning. And if it takes 27 hours to reach the lab from the postroom, there isn't a chance in hell of meeting the advertised 24 hour turnaround time. I will let readers of this review make their own opinion of Rightangled, trading as 0044 Covid Test, and whether to use them in light of our experience and their response. I certainly won't in future. EDIT 25/AUG/2021: This company now trades under +44 COVID Test on the government approved list of covid test providers.

Date of experience : 08 August 2021

Software is compromised

Software is compromised. It is extremely stressful and difficult to enter data.

Date of experience : 30 May 2021

0044 covit test Its completely ripped…

0044 covit test Its completely ripped off , this is the worst the company in the uk , never busy any test kit from this people , I have bought one which direct from HMRC gov despite they taken £177 for 2 test kit straight away from may account ( plus I have received the purchase confirmation) but never had booking reference number which you need to fill the locator form , because I didn’t have this number I had to buy testing from another company ( redox ) which I received the booking number in matter of minute , After returning to the uk , I have written several email to the company to ask for refund but they reject and saying the reference has been sent ( which asked for proof but they never had one ) at the end they haven’t refund my money and no proof of reference number and email that show was sent to me, never buy anything from them Government gives authority to these ridiculous people to steal people money !

Date of experience : 21 September 2021

The test never arrived

The test never arrived. No number to call for customer service helpdesk

Date of experience : 01 June 2021

Waste of time and money

Waste of time and money, no reference booking number

Date of experience : 25 June 2021

I can’t believe this is government…

I can’t believe this is government approved list they did not send me the confirmation code for locater form and have not sent the Covid test kit yet and did not reply to me after two days and manny emails to them they reply was you can’t have refund because day 2 and 8 are no refundable I had to buy another test for my partner to fly back they are thieves avoid them

Date of experience : 24 June 2021

Doesn’t give the correct refrence…

Doesn’t give the correct refrence number for the passenger locator form

Date of experience : 30 August 2021

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7 Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Tests—and Where to Find Them

The pandemic isn’t over. Although it's no longer considered a national and public health emergency, we're currently seeing a surge in cases and the spread of two new variants— EG.5 (Eris) and BA.2.86 (“Pirola”). Regardless of how small your social circle is, it's still possible to contract and spread Covid 19. To help prevent this, it’s important to get tested regularly (along with getting vaccinated and wearing an N95 face mask ). Free testing sites are no longer as accessible across the US (the CDC ICATT program will continue to provide free tests for those without health insurance), but you can opt for rapid at-home Covid tests instead—providing you with results in 15 minutes or so.

With hundreds of options, it’s tough to know which one to buy (if they’re in stock). We’ve rounded up options—based on FDA authorization and availability—to help make the search easier. Members of our team have used some, but not all, of these tests.

Updated September 2023: We've added information on the new round of free at-home Covid tests and details on a new recall issued from the Philadelphia Health Department for inauthentic Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Tests.

• It's Time to Order Another Round of Free At-Home Covid Tests
• Are At-Home Covid-19 Tests Covered By Insurance?
• When to Take an At-Home Covid Test
• Rapid At-Home Covid-19 Tests
• A More Accurate Test
• At-Home Covid-19 Tests to Avoid
• How to Identify Counterfeit Tests
• Check for Kits at Each Retailer
• Delivery Apps That Offer At-Home Tests
• How Accurate Are These Tests?
• Reporting Your Self-Test Results
• How to Store At-Home Covid Tests
• Check the Expiration Dates
• Best N95, KN95, and Disposable Masks

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off) . This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more .

Starting September 25, 2023, all households across the US can order four more free at-home Covid tests through Covid.gov/tests . For more information on how to get them, you can check out our guide on How to Order Your Free At-Home Covid-19 Tests .

On May 11, 2023, the Biden-Harris administration officially terminated the national and public health emergency surrounding Covid-19. This means over-the-counter Covid tests are no longer covered by private insurance companies (Medicare included). However, private insurance companies can choose to cover the costs voluntarily, so it's worth reaching out to your insurer. Those on Medicaid will continue to be fully covered through September 30, 2024, at which point coverage will vary by state.

The COVIDtests.gov program has also been suspended as of June 1, 2023, to conserve the remaining supply of tests. However, the US government says it will continue to provide available at-home tests to underserved communities and uninsured individuals via existing outreach programs. You can learn more information on how to acquire low-cost or free Covid-19 tests from the federal government by contacting an HRSA health center , ICATT location , or Test to Treat site near you.

It depends. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , those who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms should get tested immediately. If you were in close contact with someone who contracted the virus, you should test yourself at least five days after exposure and wear a mask around other people for 10 days.

It's also important to note that while most at-home Covid test kits come with two tests per box, we recommend purchasing multiple boxes if possible. The latest serial testing protocols require testing at least three times over a five-day period depending on your result. (More on this below.)

If you test negative: Experiencing Covid-19 symptoms but got a negative test result? Take another test. As of November 1, 2022, the FDA has authorized at-home Antigen Covid tests to be taken at least twice over three days with at least 48 hours between tests. If you test negative and aren’t experiencing any symptoms—especially if you’ve been to a gathering with several people—the FDA instructs individuals to test at least three times over a five-day period with at least 48 hours between tests. As per the CDC , it’s possible the sample was collected too early in the infection and may show up positive after a few days. If it’s still negative when you retest, then it’s possible any symptoms you have aren’t Covid-related. You can also double-check instructions by searching for a specific at-home Covid test on the FDA's site here .

If you test positive: Take another test to verify the result. If both results are positive, you should quarantine for at least five days and wear a mask around other people for an additional five days. Make sure to contact your primary care physician and friends and family who may have been exposed. You can also ask your health care provider about potential treatment options—there are a few FDA-authorized antiviral treatments available that can be taken at home or at a health care facility. Those experiencing severe symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Many of these tests rely on the honor system—mask up and stay home.

There’s a chance your test result may show up as invalid. This means the test didn’t work. If this happened with your first test, you can try again with the second one in the box (though you’ll need to buy another pack to test again).

Abbott BinaxNow Antigen Rapid Self-Test Kit

Abbot’s BinaxNow kit provides results within 15 minutes of swabbing your nose and inserting the sample into the included test card. You can then use Navica, the companion app, to self-report your results. Those who test negative will receive a temporary encrypted digital pass they can use as official proof of their test result. With two tests in each box, the company recommends taking another one no sooner than 24 hours but no later than 48 hours. A few members of the Gear team have used this test. We cannot verify its level of accuracy, but it was straightforward to use, with clear instructions.

With the QuickVue at-home test, all you need to do is swab both your nostrils, swirl the swab in the prefilled tube of solution, and dip the test strip in for 10 minutes. If the result is positive, you’ll see both a blue line and a pink line appear on the strip. If it’s negative, you’ll only see a blue line. This kit comes with two tests, so you can take another one within three days. I have used this test—it’s easy to administer and understand.

Intrivo Diagnostics On/Go Antigen Test

On/Go’s at-home kit comes with a connected app that helps guide you through the process. Once you create an account, you’ll use the test cassette, extraction vial, vial cap, and nasal swab included in the box to collect your sample. After 10 minutes, you’ll be prompted to upload a photo of your result, and the app will confirm whether it is positive, negative, or invalid (at which point you can try again). Of all the at-home rapid tests I’ve tried so far, this was the easiest to use. The steps are simple enough that I’m not reaching for the instructions every single time—something I can’t say for the others. The standard version has two tests per box, but you can purchase a single pack for $9 .

InteliSwab Rapid Antigen Home Test Kit

InteliSwab looks different from the standard at-home Covid test kit, and it also requires the longest wait time. Instead of a separate nasal swab, this one comes with a flat pad attached to the result window. Once you swab both nostrils with the flat pad, insert the pad into the tube of solution and wait 30 to 40 minutes for your results to appear.

FlowFlex Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test

Unlike nearly every other test kit, you'll likely find that FlowFlex only comes with one test per box. That's because, in 2021, the FDA was confident enough in this test that it didn't advise you to test yourself again after a few days—unless you felt new symptoms coming in. But in 2022, the FDA updated its repeat testing protocols. The instruction manual included in this test kit now states that if you have symptoms on the first day of testing but receive a negative result, you should test again in 48 hours. If you don't have symptoms but receive a negative result, you should test at least two more times with 48 hours in between tests. So, we recommend opting for the 5-pack if you can find it.

The process is similar to any other at-home Covid test: Swab your nose, dip the swab in the solution, and squeeze a few drops onto a small plastic test card. After 15 to 30 minutes, your results will appear. This test comes in a much more compact box and is easier to unbox and use than some tests we tried.

Warning: If you’re shopping for the FlowFlex, make sure it comes in a white box. In January 2022, the FDA recalled a counterfeit version called Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test (Self-Testing) that hasn’t been authorized for sale in the US. (It came in a dark blue box.) Make sure to look for tests called FlowFlex Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test in a white box. The FDA also issued a warning for another set of fraudulent versions being distributed in April 2022. You can find the exact signs to look for here .

On September 9, 2023, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health issued a recall for what they believe to be Flowflex Covid-19 Antigen Home Tests. In a press release , the Health Department said that following “a routine shelf-life extension program check" they found a specific lot number was not listed on the US FDA’s shelf-life extension website . Once it was confirmed these tests were not authentic, they were removed from distribution status. If your test lists the lot number COV2110012 , you should throw it away immediately.

The iHealth Covid-19 kit comes with a nasal swab, solution, and a test card. After collecting your sample and soaking it in the solution, add three drops of it to the test card. In 15 minutes your result will appear on the card, and you can then upload it to the companion app. If you test negative, you’ll get access to an iHealth Pass to use as digital proof. The Covid-19 Test Card inside the foil pouch should be used within one hour of opening it.

Warning: In May 2022, the FDA issued a warning for counterfeit versions of the iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test kits that haven’t been authorized for sale in the US. The images on the Instructions for Use pamphlet included with some counterfeit versions differ slightly from the authentic version. Both iHealth and the FDA are in the process of finding additional identifiable signs to look for. People who live in South Carolina and have purchased an iHealth Covid-19 test should also double-check the lot number on their kits. In November of 2022, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control determined that a limited amount of at-home tests “may have invalid result cartridges because of a manufacturer error.” You can read more here .

In addition to at-home antigen rapid tests, you can also opt for an at-home molecular test. Antigen tests (rapid tests) detect proteins on the surface of the virus, while molecular tests (typically known as PCR tests) detect the virus’ genetic material—making it typically more accurate. But since PCR tests require a laboratory and a few days to receive results, they’re not as convenient as 15-minute rapid tests.

The molecular test below uses central hubs equipped with lab-quality technology. With the help of a few other accessories, it can provide PCR-like results within 15 minutes. It’s more helpful for those who travel often and/or work in industries that require being around large groups of people.

Cue Health’s molecular at-home test ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ) is perhaps the most luxurious on the market (a sentence I never thought I’d say). If it weren’t for its extremely steep price (a Cue Reader and 10-pack of swabs will set you back a whopping $749)—even if you opt for one of its membership tiers with subscription pricing )—I’d easily recommend it solely for its ease of use. No solution, tubes, cassettes, or test strips are required. Simply open the connected app, insert a cartridge into the Cue Reader, swab your nose, and insert the swab into the cartridge. After 20 minutes, you’ll receive results on your phone. The company says its test has an accuracy rate of 97.8 percent.

Warning: An app is required to use this test, so you should check if your phone is compatible .

These four at-home rapid tests were recalled. According to the FDA, both SD Biosensor and Celltrion's tests have been distributed “with labeling indicating they are authorized by the FDA, but neither test has been authorized, cleared, or approved by the FDA for distribution or use in the United States.”

Certain lots of Pilot tests (by SD Biosensor Inc.) were recalled by the FDA due to “significant concerns of bacterial contamination” found in the liquid solution included in the kit. It's important to note none of the impacted tests were distributed through the Free At-Home Covid-19 tests program . The FDA says the recall applies to test kits that “were distributed by Roche Diagnostics to certain retailers in the United States. Approximately 500,000 tests were distributed to CVS Health, as well as about 16,000 tests to Amazon.” The list of affected lots can be found here .

Detect, on the other hand, voluntarily recalled specific lots of its Covid-19 tests. You can check here for a list of affected lots.

• SD Biosensor Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Home Test
• Celltrion DiaTrust Covid-19 Ag Home Test
• Detect Covid-19 Test
• Pilot Covid-19 At-Home Test

You can check for a current list of counterfeit at-home Covid-19 tests through the FDA’s site here . But if you’re unsure, you can check for a few signs. The packaging might include spelling or grammatical errors, poor print quality of text and images (as well as on the instructions inside the box), a different label or trade name than the one listed on the FDA’s site , or missing information on the box (like the expiration date, lot number, or QR code). On the inside, you should look for any missing supplies—including unfilled components, like the tube of solution.

If you find that your at-home test kit is counterfeit, you shouldn’t use it. You should also contact the store you purchased it from and the manufacturer/distributor of the authorized test. Then, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly dispose of or return the test. The FDA also encourages reporting the problem via the MedWatch Voluntary Reporting Form .

Depending on where you’re located, at-home rapid Covid tests might be sold out. If you want to continue browsing for availability, below is a list of retailers selling kits.

• Sam's Club

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms or don’t want to leave your house, you can order an at-home Covid test through a food delivery service app for same-day delivery (if the app is available in your area). Below is a list of apps that offer test kits.

• DoorDash ( iOS , Android )
• Uber Eats ( iOS , Android )
• Gopuff ( iOS , Android )
• Instacart ( iOS , Android )
• Seamless ( iOS , Android )
• Postmates ( iOS , Android )

To make sure you always have a steady supply of at-home Covid tests, you can sign up for a subscription service. With GetTests.com , you’ll have eight test kits delivered to your home each month. If your insurance company covers your at-home tests or you have Medicaid , your reimbursement claim will also be filed each month automatically to your insurance provider through Reimbursify . The service is currently sending subscribers the FlowFlex Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test.

The FDA has granted each of the rapid at-home tests below “ emergency use authorization ,” (EUA) but these tests aren’t 100 percent accurate. Most at-home rapid antigen tests have a sensitivity of roughly 85 percent (varies by test), according to the FDA. There is a chance you could end up with a false positive or a false negative. Nearly every kit comes with two tests for repeat testing, so you can double-check your results.

Per the CDC , there currently aren’t any systems in place that require you to report a positive at-home test result to public health authorities. However, it’s strongly encouraged that you contact your physician to make sure you receive the proper medical care and treatment. You can also check whether your local health department offers an online self-reporting form. There's also MakeMyTestCount.org , created by the National Institutes of Health , which allows you to anonymously self-report an at-home Covid test result.

As you’re stocking up on tests, it’s important to make sure the kits are stored properly to avoid false-negative results. Most at-home rapid tests should be kept in a dry location (out of direct sunlight) where the temperature is between about 35 degrees and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. But you can find instructions for specific tests you’re using via the manufacturer’s instructions that come with each kit.

According to the FDA , “the test performance will remain stable when tests are stored at various temperatures, including shipping during the summer in very hot regions and in the winter in very cold regions.” However, you shouldn’t use a rapid test if it’s still cold after being exposed to freezing temperatures. Instead, bring it inside and leave it in an area at room temperature for two hours before opening it.

Make sure rapid tests are kept out of children’s reach too since the small vial and cap can be choking hazards. Additionally, as per the National Poison Control Center , the solution found in the vials included with a lot of rapid antigen kits (such as BinaxNow, Flowflex, and BD Veritor) uses sodium azide as a preservative agent—which can be toxic if ingested in low doses. While the amount of sodium azide in rapid tests is too low to be considered poisonous, it can still cause irritation when exposed to the eyes, nose, or skin (including chemical burns).

It’s important to pay close attention to the expiration date of at-home rapid test kits. Typically, this is found on the outside of the test’s packaging, labeled “Exp” or with an hourglass icon. However, since some tests have been granted an extended shelf life by the FDA, the date you see on the packaging might no longer be accurate. Below, we’ve listed which tests now have a longer shelf life and their new expiration period. The new shelf life of each test is only applicable if they’re stored properly (as noted above). If you don't see your at-home Covid test listed below, check here .

• Abbott BinaxNow Antigen Rapid Self-Test Kit: Expires after 22 months ; check the new expiration date according to your lot number here .
• FlowFlex Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test: Expires after 21 months; check the new expiration date based on the printed date here .
• Intrivo Diagnostics On/Go Antigen Self-Test: Expires after 21 months; check the new expiration date here .
• iHealth Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test: Expires after 15 months ; check the new expiration of your test kit by typing in the lot number here .
• BD Veritor Digital Test Kit: Expires after 10 months; check the new expiration date here .
• QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test: Expires after 16 months; check the new expiration date here .
• InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test: Expires after 12 months; check the new expiration date here .
• Clinitest Rapid Covid-19 Antigen Self-Test: Expires after 24 months; check the new expiration date here .
• Lucira Check It COVID-19 Test: Expires after 18 months; check the new expiration date here .
• Cue Health Covid-19 Diagnostic Test: Expires after 9 months; be sure to update the companion app before testing.

Whether traveling internationally into the US or domestically throughout the country, you're not required to show proof of a negative rapid test before boarding a flight. However, the CDC recommends delaying your trip until you’re fully vaccinated or getting a viral test no more than three days before traveling. You should also refrain from traveling if you're sick. Check if the location you’re traveling to has specific travel restrictions in place too, in addition to checking the airline you’re traveling with. Check out our guide to safe travel within the US for more details.

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Is Your At-Home COVID Test Approved by the FDA? Here's Which Ones Are

Published august 22, 2022 • updated on august 22, 2022 at 9:50 am.

As back-to-school season begins, and with omicron subvariants continuing their spread across the U.S., many are counting on the ease of at-home COVID tests to accurately detect positive or negative COVID cases.

According to the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , "positive results from self-tests are highly reliable."

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However, not all at-home tests kits sold online and in stores have been approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration. And, all kits have expiration dates, with some having a much shorter shelf life than others.

Here's a look at which at-home COVID tests the CDC says are approved by the FDA , and how long each of the kits are good for:

• BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test , 15 months
• BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test , 15 months
• CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Home Test (alternate name is "on/go") , 12 months
• Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test, 16 months
• BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test , 6 months
• Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test , 18 months
• Cue COVID-19 Test for Home and Over The Counter (OTC) Use , 4 months
• Detect Covid-19 Test , 12 months
• Ellume COVID-19 Home Test , 12 months
• Genabio COVID-19 Rapid Self-Test Kit , 18 months
• iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (alternate name is "Good to Know") , 12 months
• SCoV-2 Ag Detect Rapid Self-Test , 13 months
• Lucira CHECK-IT COVID-19 Test Kit , 18 months
• MaximBio ClearDetect COVID-19 Antigen Home Test , 8 months
• InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test , 12 months
• OHC COVID-19 Antigen Self Test , 8 months
• INDICAID COVID-19 Rapid Antigen At-Home Test , 12 months
• QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test , 12 months
• Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Test 1 , 9 months
• CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test , 11 months
• Speedy Swab Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test , 6 months
• Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test Card , 6 months

While the CDC asserts "positive results from self-tests are highly reliable," it admits negative results may not necessarily rule out infection, particularly in those who are symptomatic.

And, under revised guidance from the FDA , individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19 may need to take as many as three at-home tests to ensure that they are not experiencing asymptomatic infections.

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According to the CDC, tests do not need to be taken only by those experiencing symptoms. And while there is currently no requirement to test out of isolation after having COVID, Chicago's top doctor has warned that the new BA.5 omicron subvariant is making people test positive longer.

"So just a reminder if you catch COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, you need to stay home for five days," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said during a recent Facebook live update.

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"If your symptoms are resolving, are gone by day five, you can leave your house, but you must continue to mask while around others for days six to 10. We're seeing some examples, especially with the BA.4 and [BA.5] of people testing positive for longer, occasionally testing negative and then positive again later."

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Your Questions About Home COVID-19 Tests, Answered

Are rapid antigen tests accurate? What if they're expired? With the pandemic ongoing, we have expert answers to those questions and more.

As the various subvariants of omicron continue to circulate in the U.S., rapid at-home tests remain an important tool for protecting yourself and others. Home tests are appealing because they allow you to avoid going to a testing center, and they produce results in minutes.

But confusion persists about how accurate they are, and how and when they’re most useful. Here are answers to questions about rapid tests, including information about what to do when tests expire and how to order free tests. 

What Kind of COVID-19 Tests Can I Take at Home?

Of the at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests authorized by the Food and Drug Administration, most are rapid antigen tests. They’re the ones consumers are probably most familiar with, like BinaxNow, Flowflex, and QuickVue, that you can pick up at a pharmacy or online. Home tests return results in under an hour. 

There are also options for at-home molecular tests, which are generally more accurate than antigen tests; see below for more information. PCR tests are available—LabCorp’s Pixel is an example—but they require mailing your sample to a lab and waiting for a result. Rapid at-home molecular tests are also available from companies like Cue and Lucira, but they’re pricey and thus not widely accessible to most people.

How Do Home Antigen Tests Work?

Antigen tests detect proteins on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that provoke your immune system to respond. Because they react only to proteins actually contained in the test sample, they can return a false negative result when virus levels are low, as is generally the case, for example, when someone is infected but hasn’t yet started showing symptoms.

That’s in contrast to the molecular-based tests, including PCR tests, which detect the genetic material of a virus. These tests work by amplifying any existing genetic material present in a sample by as much as a billionfold, according to Nathaniel Hafer, PhD, director of operations for the UMass Center for Clinical & Translational Science and an assistant professor in the program in molecular medicine at the UMass Medical School in Worcester. “This allows these tests to detect extremely small amounts of genetic material in a sample,” he says. “This amplification step makes them highly accurate, whether or not a person has symptoms.”

Are Home Antigen Tests Accurate?

Yes. “At-home antigen tests are quite accurate, especially if you have symptoms,” Hafer says. 

Still, they have some limitations. Antigen tests are more likely to return a false negative if you’re infected but don’t yet have symptoms. That’s because they might not be able to pick up the low viral load of an early or waning COVID-19 infection.

You also have to use them correctly. According to the FDA (which issued a warning to remind consumers about this ), the antigen tests currently offered in the U.S. are meant to be used with what’s called a serial testing method. That means to get the best accuracy, you need to take at least two tests over the course of two or three days if the initial test is negative. 

This is particularly important if you don’t have symptoms because, again, the tests aren’t as sensitive to asymptomatic infections. In fact, the FDA advises that if you don’t have symptoms but you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, you should take a total of three tests, each 48 hours apart, to be certain you’re not infected. (You can abandon the serial testing strategy once one of the tests turns up positive. A positive on a rapid test is generally very reliable.)

It’s also possible that because antigen tests work by directly detecting virus present in your nose, and higher viral loads mean greater infectivity, they may be a reasonable marker of whether someone is infectious, says Larissa May, MD, a professor of emergency medicine at UC Davis in California, at least at the time they take the test. Still, more research is needed on how well antigen test results can indicate a person’s infectivity, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). That’s because plenty of other factors are at play that could influence whether you’re likely to infect someone . They include your body’s own level of immunity and the characteristics of a given situation, like ventilation and how well people’s masks fit.

The likelihood of a false result on an antigen test also varies depending on the prevalence of COVID-19 in a community, a March 2021 Cochrane review found . When there’s little virus circulating in the area, a positive result on an antigen test is more likely to be a false positive, and you should confirm the result with a PCR test to avoid needlessly isolating yourself. But when there’s a lot of COVID-19 circulating, as there is in most places in the U.S. right now , the researchers found that there’s a higher risk of a false negative result on an antigen test.

The different rapid antigen tests available have different levels of accuracy. The Medical Letter, a publication for physicians, offers this chart summarizing their accuracy (PDF) based on data from the test manufacturers. (The PPA, or positive percent agreement, and NPA, or negative percent agreement, indicate the rate at which the antigen test results agree with a positive and a negative PCR result.) Keep in mind, however, that some independent studies of test accuracy have found that the real-world accuracy may be lower than what manufacturers report in their data, at least when it comes to the ability of a test to return a true negative result in someone without symptoms. 

How Much Do Home Antigen Tests Cost and Where Can I Get Them?

Drugstores such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart sell antigen tests over the counter, generally both online and in stores. Prices for a package of two tests start at around $20. Some cities and states may still be distributing free at-home antigen tests, so check to see what may be available near you.

People with private insurance can get at-home antigen test kits from pharmacies and retail stores free of charge or at a discount. The federal government is incentivizing health plans and insurers to set up a network of retailers across the country where plan members can get tests with no up-front costs. CVS , Rite Aid , and Walgreens allow you to place an online order for free tests via their websites. You enter your insurance information and the pharmacy checks whether you’re covered. If you are, it will notify you when your tests are ready to pick up. You also might have the option to have the tests shipped for a small fee.

If you go to a pharmacy or store that’s not in your insurer’s network for this program, you can purchase tests and be reimbursed by your insurance company for up to $12 per test. Be sure to keep your receipt for reimbursement.

The federal government is also once again offering free mail-order tests. Each household is eligible to place a one-time order of four tests via covid.gov/tests . 

Has My Home Antigen Test Really Expired?

At-home rapid tests do expire. But in many cases, you can’t trust the expiration date printed on the package, because the actual expiration date may be further in the future.

That’s because the FDA has extended the expiration dates for many antigen tests. The initial expiration dates printed on tests provided for a relatively short shelf life because regulators were trying to get them out to consumers quickly. There was no time to wait and see how long they would remain accurate, so regulators erred on the side of caution. 

“These things got approved on emergency use in the middle of a pandemic,” says Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and a spokesperson for the Infectious Diseases Society of America. “They were trying to get them out on the fly. Those expiry dates were necessarily tagged to what data they had, but they’re not set in stone.” 

Many manufacturers have now done more long-term studies of their tests, and the FDA has been able to use those results to extend the expiration dates for some tests. 

If your test is printed with an expiration date that has come and gone, don’t just toss it: Look up your test here on the FDA’s website to find out whether the expiration has been extended. Find the brand name of your test, and if it’s listed as having had its expiration extended, click on the link to find out whether your test (based on the LOT number) is included.

What if your test’s expiration date hasn’t been extended, or if even the extended expiration date has come and gone? You may still want to hang on to it. The FDA says consumers shouldn’t use expired tests. But the expiration dates are based on data the agency received from manufacturers, which may not be complete, and some tests could last longer, Adalja says. 

Though the data related to this question is still uncertain, even an expired test could still have some usefulness, according to Adalja. For example, if a person with symptoms of COVID-19 gets a positive result on an expired test, he says that would be sufficient evidence for him to treat the person for COVID-19. But if someone with symptoms got a negative result on an expired test, or if someone without symptoms got a positive result on an expired test, Adalja says he would want to see additional results from a nonexpired test before making any diagnosis or recommendation. 

Also, there’s always the possibility that the FDA could extend the expiration dates of more tests as it receives more data from manufacturers. So even if you’d rather not use expired tests (a reasonable decision if you have unexpired tests available), it doesn’t hurt to keep them around for a few months, just in case the FDA extends their shelf life.

How Do I Use a Home Antigen Test?

The exact directions will vary by brand, so make sure to read them carefully before you begin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you disinfect the surface on which you’ll be placing the components and wash your hands. Lay out all the materials in the test kit before you start the procedure, as if you’re practicing the chef’s technique of “mise en place” but for an infectious disease diagnosis instead of cooking. 

The tests involve swabbing the inside of your nose—and it’s crucial to do this part correctly, so that you gather a good sample. Directions generally say to:

• Insert the soft end of the swab no more than ¾ inch into your nose.

• Firmly and slowly swirl the swab in a circle around the inside wall of one nostril at least four or five times, for a total of 15 seconds. Repeat this process using the same swab in the other nostril. 

You then put the swab containing your sample into contact with some component of the test, such as into a tube of liquid that you’ve unsealed or against a card containing a test strip. Once you’ve finished all the steps, you’ll need to wait for a result. Be careful about keeping track of the time, according to what the test’s directions indicate. The results won’t be valid until a certain amount of time, but they’ll also become invalid if you wait too long. CareStart and QuickVue’s tests, for example, should be read 10 minutes after completing the procedure. They become invalid after 15 minutes.

Should I Swab My Throat, Too?

Some anecdotal advice has circulated that if you suspect you have a case of COVID-19 but get a negative result on an at-home antigen test, you should try the test again but this time swab your throat as well as the inside of your nose. The theory behind the advice goes like this: Some preliminary evidence suggests that the omicron variant begins replicating fastest in the throat, rather than the nose as earlier variants did. That means you might have better luck getting a true positive result on a test earlier in the course of an infection by swabbing your throat rather than just your nose, because a nose swab might return a false negative result for longer. 

This practice would make sense—if we had the evidence to back it up, says Stephen Master, MD, president of the American Association for Clinical Chemistry and chief of the division of laboratory medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. But the antigen tests currently available in the U.S. were designed and authorized to use nasal swabbing. There aren’t a lot of studies that look at how well throat swabbing works with these tests. And different biological fluids—saliva vs. the mucus in your nose, for example—can have different effects on the result of the test.

In one early study involving 49 people who were confirmed to have omicron infections, BinaxNow tests performed with nasal swabs correctly detected the infections 86 percent of the time but just 47 percent of infections performed with throat swabs. The researchers concluded that throat swabs shouldn’t replace nasal swabs with rapid tests. As for swabbing both areas, the study found that test accuracy went up by just 3 percentage points, to 89 percent.

But that’s just one study. For now at least, the FDA advises against using a throat swab with the rapid tests authorized in the U.S.

Still, in the meantime, if you do go ahead and try out the throat swab, use care. In the U.K., where tests that combine throat and nose swabs are already common, Public Health England advises that people swab the throat first and then the nose. Here’s a video with step-by-step instructions .

If your nose-swab-only test comes back negative but your throat-swab test comes back positive, what should you do? “I would view that in the same way as I would view someone having symptoms and not being positive yet by a nasal swab,” Master says. When case prevalence is high, it’s wise to behave as if you’re probably infected, at least until you can double check with follow-up testing.

What Should I Do After a Positive or Negative Result?

If you test positive on an antigen test, you can trust it even if you don’t have symptoms, so you should take the recommended isolation measures .

If you get a negative result on an antigen test but you have symptoms or think you were exposed to COVID-19, follow up with a second antigen test 48 hours later. If the second test is negative, what you should do depends on your situation, according to the FDA. If you have symptoms, you can either try a rapid test a third time (again, 48 hours later) or seek out a PCR test (or call and consult a doctor). If you don’t have symptoms but were recently exposed to the virus, test a third time after another 48 hours.

The bottom line: A single negative antigen test doesn’t necessarily mean that you aren’t carrying the virus and that you wouldn’t test positive if you repeated the test the next day.

“It doesn’t sort of give you a free pass to assume that there’s no way you could spread COVID,” Susan Butler-Wu, PhD, an associate professor of clinical pathology at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, told the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s SciLine in an interview earlier this year. This helps to explain how people can contract COVID-19 at events such as concerts that require negative rapid tests right before entry.

Still, combined with other mitigation measures, such as masking and ventilation, getting a negative result on a rapid antigen test right before joining an event like a family gathering can help provide another layer of protection to attendees. You’ll want to take the test as close to the start of the event as possible—such as at the door. May says negative rapid antigen test results can also provide some added assurances in school settings where, again, other measures like masking and ventilation are also being used.

How Should Home Tests Be Stored?

Keeping tests at room temperature is fine. A study in the Journal of Clinical Virology found that storing kits above 86° F or below about 37° F decreased the accuracy of the tests, but most home environments are likely to be more temperate than either of those extremes.

Catherine Roberts

Catherine Roberts is a health and science journalist at Consumer Reports. She has been at CR since 2016, covering infectious diseases, bugs and bug sprays, consumer medical devices like hearing aids and blood pressure monitors, health privacy, and more. As a civilian, her passions include bike rides, horror films and fiction, and research rabbit holes. Follow her on Twitter @catharob .

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Home Tests Detect the New COVID Variant, But May Take Longer

Jan. 23, 2024 – You’ve got the symptoms, but your test for COVID-19 isn't positive. You’re not alone. 

JN.1, the now-dominant variant that accounts for nearly  86% of all circulating SARS-CoV-2 strains, may take longer to show a positive result on home antigen tests .

Some infectious disease doctors and patients have reported that tests taken days after symptoms appear turn up negative, then a couple of days later are positive. 

It’s triggered uneasiness about the value of the tests. “Are the at-home tests able to detect JN.1?” tweeted one user on X, formerly known as Twitter, echoing concerns of others on social media.

Before blaming the tests for losing effectiveness -- or the variant for being too wily to be detected -- infectious disease experts offer another explanation: our smarter-than-in-2020 immune systems. They also point to a study published in September that found many patients aren’t getting a positive test until 4 days after infection. 

Our immune systems are getting stronger, said Peter Chin-Hong, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine. As the pandemic has gone on and much of the population has gotten natural infections, vaccines, or both, “we are getting alerted earlier that the enemy is in the body. It’s more related to time rather than to the variant,” he said.

That means we may feel sick earlier from COVID now compared to earlier in the pandemic. 

In March 2020, everyone was naive immunologically, he said, and “it took some time for the body to recognize the virus.” Now,  just a bit of virus may trigger an alarm by the immune system, with symptoms showing up quickly. These days, he said, “you may now feel sick at day zero instead of day 5.” However, when you test within the first few days, there may not be a very high level of virus, so the home test, less accurate than the less-available PCR tests, probably won’t be positive. 

Chin-Hong says he doesn’t think, however, that future variants will stretch out that lag time much further.

‘New Normal’ Not Brand New

These “delayed positives,” as others term them, have occurred with other variants. As the population has gained immunity to due to natural infections, vaccinations, or both, the viral load does peak later, explaining the lag time that can occur on home test results, according to the September report in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases.

“In our study we observed that in a highly immune adult population (91% had a history of vaccination, natural infection, or both), concentrations of viral RNA and antigen in nasal swab samples were highest around the fourth day of symptoms,” said researcher Nira Pollock, MD, PhD, associate professor of pathology and medicine at Harvard Medical School.

For that reason, the sensitivity of home tests would be expected to be highest around the fourth day of symptoms, she said, although many people with symptoms might test positive earlier. 

In the study, Pollock and her colleagues evaluated nasal swab samples from 348 people who had tested positive by PCR testing for COVID, measuring the concentrations in the sample and then estimating the expected sensitivity to home testing. The tests were done from April 2022 to April 2023, well before the JN.1 variant was first detected in the U.S. in  September 2023.  

Handling the ‘New Normal’

How to handle the lag time?

The  CDC advises testing immediately if you have symptoms. If a home test is negative, retest after 48 hours or get a PCR test. It recommends waiting 5 days after exposure to test if you don’t have symptoms, then either test at home again in 48 hours if your first test was negative, or get a PCR test. Those who don’t get the PCR should repeat the home antigen test a third time after another 48 hours. Keep in mind, however, that PCR tests done at a lab are no longer free .

The research shouldn’t discourage testing, Pollock said. 

“People should continue to test as soon as they have symptoms,” she said. If they test positive, that information is very important for making treatment and other decisions, she said. The key is that people need to know that one test is not enough. But she acknowledged that repeat testing is both challenging and costly.

According to Chin-Hong, the testing decisions are personal and could depend on a person’s access to tests. “If you have limited tests, I would probably not check immediately [after symptoms occur] but wait and wear a mask.” But he acknowledged that some, including older adults and anyone who is immunocompromised, may want to test earlier and more often, as they want to know their status earlier rather than later.

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Which COVID-19 Test Should You Get?

BY CARRIE MACMILLAN January 20, 2022

[Originally published: Oct. 20, 2021. Updated: Jan. 20, 2022.]

Note: Information in this article was accurate at the time of original publication. Because information about COVID-19 changes rapidly, we encourage you to visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and your state and local government for the latest information.

As the highly contagious Omicron variant continues to sweep across the country, people—even those who are fully vaccinated—are wondering if the onset of cold and flu symptoms is really a sign of COVID-19 infection. 

But COVID testing has become a complicated issue. As Omicron surged, appointments at sites where results are processed by a laboratory became difficult to find in a timely manner. So, many turned to at-home COVID-19 tests. Often called rapid tests, such kits are sold in drugstores and online, allowing people to test themselves—and get results—in their own home in a matter of minutes. 

Unfortunately, at-home tests have also become difficult—if not impossible—to find. The federal government hopes to alleviate the bottleneck by requiring private insurance companies to start reimbursing customers for at-home tests and by distributing 1 billion free rapid tests to Americans. 

If you can get your hands on a test, you might find the different options confusing. In which situations is a laboratory-based (often called PCR) test best? If you are traveling and need to show a negative COVID test, which should you get? Are they all equally accurate? Do some produce results faster than others? And how far does that Q-tip go up your nose with each kind? 

Some of these questions are easy to answer, while others are more difficult—particularly when it comes to accuracy. That’s because all of the tests—and there are hundreds of them, from a growing number of companies and laboratories—are offered through a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emergency use authorization (EUA). Therefore, they have not been as rigorously tested or vetted as other medical tests with full FDA approval.

And since the virus is new, all the tests are also new, meaning we have neither a long track record of comparing results, nor a true gold-standard test yet. 

Furthermore, with each new variant , new questions arise. Recently, there has been discussion about whether throat swabs or saliva samples are better at detecting Omicron compared to the more mainstream method of nasal swabs—or if rapid tests are less effective at detecting Omicron. 

Sheldon Campbell, MD, PhD , a Yale Medicine pathologist and microbiologist, cautions against getting caught up in what he calls mostly anecdotal data. 

“There is some PCR-based data that saliva is better, but the home tests are designed to work with a nasal swab and very few responsible people would think you should replace a nasal swab with a throat swab. That’s Twitter medicine,” says Dr. Campbell, referring to a #swabyourthroat hashtag that is trending. “And I have not seen good data that antigen tests are somehow less sensitive with Omicron than they are with other strains.” 

Below, Dr. Campbell and Yale Medicine infectious disease experts get into the nuances of the various available COVID-19 tests.

What are the different types of tests to diagnose COVID-19?

Unlike antibody tests, which look for prior infection, COVID diagnostic tests look for current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 . They are broken into two categories: molecular and antigen (more below). 

A summary of their differences

Because the samples are, for the most part, collected in the same way for both, the differences between the two kinds of tests are largely in how they’re processed.

Molecular tests are generally more accurate and mostly processed in a laboratory, which takes longer; antigen tests—or “rapid tests”—are processed pretty much anywhere, including at home, in doctors’ offices, or in pharmacies. You can get antigen test results in about 15 minutes, but they tend to be less accurate.  

Health care providers typically rely on molecular tests, particularly when people have COVID-19 symptoms, whereas antigen testing is often used when quick results are needed or for general screening and surveillance.

Below, we take a closer look at the two categories. 

Molecular COVID tests (also called nucleic acid amplification test, or NAAT)

The first test created to detect COVID—and still the most widely used—is a molecular test called PCR (polymerase chain reaction), Dr. Campbell says. “PCR and similar tests look for the COVID virus’s RNA,” meaning genetic material that comes only from the virus, he explains. “They tend to be quite sensitive, but even among these, they are on a continuum of sensitivity and vary a whole lot.” “Sensitivity” measures how often a test correctly delivers a positive result for people with the condition that's being tested. A test that's highly sensitive will catch almost anyone who has the disease and not generate a lot of false-negative results.

How does the test work?  A molecular test looks for genetic material from the virus. The test uses sophisticated chemicals and equipment to reproduce millions to billions of copies of viral-related DNA from even the smallest sample. Because of that, the test is considered highly sensitive, leading to very few false negatives.

How is a sample obtained?  Usually with a swab inserted into your nose. There are three different methods for nasal collection: 

• Nasopharyngeal:  A health care professional inserts a long swab deep into your nostril to collect fluid from the back of your nose.
• Mid-turbinate:  This method, which someone can be coached to do themselves or is done by a professional, involves placing a soft swab straight back into the nostril (less than one inch) to collect a sample.
• Anterior nasal swab:  This test, which can either be self-administered and possibly supervised by a trained health care provider, or done by a health care professional, involves putting a swab three-quarters of an inch into the nostril and twirling it around at least four times to get a sample.  

In general, the deeper you go for a specimen, the greater the sensitivity, says Richard Martinello, MD , a Yale Medicine infectious disease expert. “But, we’ve found it’s much more comfortable to do mid-turbinate or anterior nasal swabs, and they provide a reasonable degree of sensitivity,” he adds. “It’s a compromise of sorts, but it does allow us to simplify the collection process.” 

Other collection methods include: 

• Oropharangeal (throat) swab:  A trained health care provider collects a sample using a swab to the back of the throat. 
• Saliva:  You drool into a sterile, leak-proof cap container. For now, this type of testing is only offered at select locations. 

How is the test processed?  Most specimens are sent to laboratories. 

Where can you get one?  Molecular tests are offered at pharmacies, doctors' offices, and designated testing locations, such as health clinics, as well as locations set up by private or state and local public health systems. 

How quickly can you get results?  Because the tests are sent to a lab, it depends on lab capacity. Results are typically available within a range of one to seven days, depending on your location. 

“Currently, Yale New Haven Health System is turning around about 76% of community test results within 24 hours and just over 95% within 48 hours,” says Scott Roberts, MD , a Yale Medicine infectious disease specialist.

How accurate are they?  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), laboratory-based tests, such as PCR, have a “generally high” test sensitivity.  

“PCR tests are considered the most accurate available,” Dr. Martinello says. “But because these tests are highly sensitive and specific, there is still a risk for a false positive.”

But limiting false negatives might be extremely important, especially with the rise of more transmissible variants. "It’s actually true for those who have—and who don’t have—symptoms, but if you do have symptoms, a PCR test is more likely than an antigen test to pick up an infection accurately,” says Dr. Campbell. 

Antigen COVID tests

Whereas molecular tests require specialized equipment for processing samples, an antigen test is simpler, because it requires smaller devices that are easy to transport. Their design is similar to, say, a pregnancy test.

How does the test work?  Antigen tests search for pieces of protein from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sample you provide is treated with a reagent and analyzed on the spot by a health care professional. Unlike molecular tests, these require a higher level of virus in the test sample before the test will turn positive. This means that an antigen test may sometimes lead to a false negative.

How is a sample obtained?  As with molecular tests, a sterile swab is inserted into your nose or throat to obtain a specimen (see details above)—although throat swabs may be less common these days.

How is the test processed?  The sample is self-applied to a test strip or cartridge. Similar to a home pregnancy test, results show a colored line to signify positive or negative. 

Where can you get one?  Antigen tests are offered in pharmacies, doctors' offices, and can be purchased to use at home. 

How quickly can you get results?  Results are typically available in 10 to 15 minutes. 

How accurate are they?  According to the CDC, antigen test sensitivity varies depending on the time in the course of one’s infection, but is considered to have “moderate to high” sensitivity during peak viral load. Compared to molecular tests, antigen tests are more likely to generate false negative results, especially when performed on people who don’t have symptoms. 

ID NOW COVID Test

Complicating things a bit is the availability of ID NOW, a rapid  molecular test used by some testing locations, such as pharmacies, that can read results on-site—in about 15 minutes. 

According to the CDC, point-of-care tests (such as those administered at a drug store, including ID NOW), have a “moderate to high” test sensitivity. 

But where does it fit in the molecular vs antigen test result accuracy spectrum? 

“ID NOW is not a completely different thing than PCR, it’s just on the lower sensitivity end of the spectrum,” Dr. Campbell says. “So, more accurate than an antigen test.”

What about home tests?

The home tests that give instant results are all antigen. However, there are home kits that require mailing a sample to a lab that use molecular technology. Whereas testing at pharmacies and doctors’ offices is typically free or covered by insurance, your insurance company may not cover the cost of a home test, which may cost anywhere from $24 for a set of two to $38 for one.  

Home tests are useful if you need an immediate answer, Dr. Campbell says. “But the tricky part is that the cost can pile up and people don’t always do the test correctly, either,” he says. “It’s extremely important to follow the directions carefully.” 

And since they are less sensitive than a molecular test, the FDA recommends doing serial testing—or taking multiple tests—over several days to improve the chance of catching asymptomatic infections.

But given the current shortage of tests, Dr. Campbell advises using them sparingly. 

“If you can access a home antigen test, I would wait to take one until about three days after a known COVID exposure. If it’s negative, I would do it again at days five and seven,” he says. “Even that is a lot of tests. So, depending on the degree of your exposure and if you turn symptomatic, you might not need to keep testing, especially if you are vaccinated and a ‘low-risk’ person. Rather, test again when your symptoms have gone away and you are ready to go back to work.”

The overarching principle of testing in the medical world, Dr. Campbell explains, is that you should only test when a result will change what you do. Given the high case rate levels right now, if you are exposed to COVID and then develop symptoms, chances are you have the virus, he says. If your symptoms can be managed safely at home and you can isolate, then that is what you should do. 

Another thing to remember, Dr. Campbell says, is that if an antigen test comes back positive right now, it is most likely accurate. 

“People who have a positive antigen test right now are almost certainly infectious and contagious. People who are antigen negative at the very worst are less contagious. We can’t say they are absolutely not contagious because the studies are hard to do, but they are less contagious for sure,” he says. “When the incidence of disease is really low, false positives start to outnumber the true positives. But at this moment, when incidence is so high, false positives are extremely unlikely.” 

What type of test should I get?

If you are exhibiting a fever, cough, trouble breathing, or other COVID-19 symptoms, you should get tested, regardless of vaccination status, health experts advise. If testing is available, consider testing three to five days after a high-risk exposure, adds Dr. Campbell.

Deciding which type of test to get can be challenging. 

“A lot of this depends on access and what is readily available to you. We are thankful to have rapid antigen tests, but if you don’t have symptoms, their sensitivity is limited and we know that 40% of people who are contagious with COVID are asymptomatic,” Dr. Martinello says. “A NAAT test is more sensitive, but a lot still depends on the quality of the specimen.” 

Still, for the diagnosis of people seriously ill (with a presumed case of COVID-19), doctors will generally use a PCR test, because false-negative tests might result in inadequate treatment.  

If you are traveling, you might be required to get tested, too. The location you are visiting might require a certain type of test and approved testing locations as well. 

“I think the test you can get makes the most sense for travel right now. If you can get PCR, great. If not, get an antigen,” Dr. Campbell says. “But you do want to test because you don’t want to be the one person who infects everyone else on the airplane.” 

School and workplaces

Schools may have their own rules for how they conduct COVID-19 testing. But for surveillance, such as at schools or workplaces, antigen tests work well, Dr. Campbell says. 

“Say you are testing kids in a school twice a week in perpetuity. You can do it much more quickly and easily and for less cost if you use antigen tests,” he says. “You want to answer the question of if kids are infectious now or not. Would PCR be better in that setting? Yes, but you won’t get the answer back in a day necessarily, and you would spend a lot of money to find a few positives. Sometimes, speed is the most important thing.” 

General peace of mind 


Some people might like to do regular COVID tests for peace of mind. Say you are vaccinated but plan to attend a crowded event and then visit an immunocompromised or elderly relative. 

“If you are going to do something risky and then visit your 90-year-old mom, then what you really want to do is test  before  the event and make sure you’re not the person spreading virus,” he says. 

After that, the timing of what to do next is complicated. 

“If you went to a crowded concert and are worried about COVID, you don’t want to take any COVID test—molecular or antigen—the next day. You should wait three to five days after potential exposure,” says Dr. Campbell. “We think that you have to have a fair amount of virus present to be infectious to others, and we know that in the course of infection, the viral load goes up and down.” 

If you have a limited number of tests, you should use them right before you visit vulnerable friends or relatives—or right before you go to an event with lots of people, adds Dr. Campbell.  “Use them to keep from spreading infection,” he says. 

Will any of the tests tell me which variant I have?

None of the COVID-19 tests you take, either at home or at a pharmacy, will tell you if you have a variant , such as Delta or Omicron. Detecting variants requires genetic testing done in a lab. Across the country, a selection of positive COVID-19 samples are sent to specialized labs, where they are anonymously sequenced to identify variants so that public health officials can monitor COVID-19 trends. 

And not all positive specimens are tested; only sample amounts are taken. So, if you hear that 75% of cases in an area are a particular variant, for example, that reflects a computation based on the number of samples tested—and it is just an estimate. By January, Omicron made up about 95% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. 

Are there tests that look for COVID-19 and the flu?

Since the symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar, it’s helpful to know there are molecular tests you can have that detect each virus using a single sample. In fact, there are even tests that diagnose COVID-19, flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), a virus that causes common cold symptoms, at once. 

Such tests are offered at doctors' offices and clinics and need to be sent to a lab, and should come back in a day or less. These tests will become available closer to flu season, in October.

Even for physicians, COVID-19 testing can be confusing.

In the end, it’s best to remember the basics: get your vaccine, when in doubt wear a mask and social distance, and stay home and away from others if you feel sick, Dr. Campbell says.

The federal government launched a website for people to order free COVID-19 test kits (four per household) to be shipped to their homes.  Visit the site by clicking here . 

Note: Information provided in Yale Medicine articles is for general informational purposes only. No content in the articles should ever be used as a substitute for medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Always seek the individual advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition.   

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At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

On this page:, general information about at-home otc covid-19 diagnostic tests, authorized at-home otc covid-19 diagnostic tests and expiration dates.

• Related Information

At-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests can show if you have an active COVID-19 infection.

These at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests are FDA authorized for self-testing at home (or in other locations) without a prescription. Tests are available online or at local stores and  you collect your own sample, perform the test, and read the result yourself without the need to send a sample to a laboratory.

With most at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests, you should repeat testing following a negative result, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce your risk of a false negative test result. The FDA encourages you to voluntarily and anonymously report your positive or negative test results every time you use an at-home COVID-19 test. You can send your test result to MakeMyTestCount.org or use an app or other digital option for self-reporting that may be included with your test. For additional information on reading and understanding your test results, see Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results .

For more information, including answers to frequently asked general questions about at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests, visit At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions .

The table below is updated regularly and lists FDA-authorized at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests, including information on expiration dates, who can use the test, links to home use instructions for each test, and other details that may help you decide what test is right for you. For additional information about each Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), see In Vitro Diagnostics EUAs: Tables of IVD EUAs .

In the table below, the "Expiration Date" column lists where to find the expiration date for that test, and the "Other Details" column lists the shelf-life for the test. The shelf-life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf-life and is the date through which the test is expected to perform as accurately as when manufactured. In some cases, the expiration date for a test may be extended.

An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. For more information about how the expiration date is determined and why it may be extended, see the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions .   

To see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended, first find the row in the below table that matches the manufacturer and test name shown on the box label of your test. If the expiration date has been extended, then the Expiration Date column states " Extended Expiration Date " and links to a document that lists the lot numbers, original expiration dates, and the extended expiration dates. If your lot number and/or original expiration date do not appear, or if the Expiration Date column states “Expiration Date: See box label,” do not use the test beyond the original expiration date on your test. 

Search the table below by manufacturer, test name, or other details shown in the table to find more information on the test, including if the expiration date has been extended. 

To see complete information on smaller screens, select the blue plus (+) button beside the test name.

Related Information:

• COVID-19 Tests Granted Traditional Marketing Authorization by the FDA
• Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results
• At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions
• COVID-19 Test Basics: Includes details on COVID-19 tests, types of samples, and other information.
• At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Tests-Take Steps to Reduce Your Risk of False Negative: FDA Safety Communication
• Counterfeit At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
• Find COVID-19 Tests at COVID.gov/tests
• Video: How to Interpret Self-Test Results | CDC
• COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC
• COVID-19 Self-Testing At-Home or Anywhere | CDC
• What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC
• Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC
• Video:  What Is an EUA? Describes how the FDA can issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) to provide more timely access to diagnostic tests that may help during the public health emergency when there is no adequate, approved, and available alternative.
• 1 The Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Test, distributed by Roche Diagnostics, is previously known as the COVID-19 At-Home Test. As the manufacturer, SD Biosensor, transitions to this new brand, customers may receive a product with the previously authorized COVID-19 At-Home Test labeling.

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Free COVID test kits are back: Here’s how to get yours

Starting November 20, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. If you didn’t order tests since the program reopened in September, the site will let you place two orders for a total of eight tests. Order your test kits through  COVID.gov . Orders will ship free starting the week of November 27, 2023.

The kits will include  instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates . Many kits have had their expiration dates extended beyond what may be printed on the packaging.

You don’t have to pay for shipping, and you’ll never be asked for a credit card or bank account number. You only need to give a name and shipping address. If you’d like an email confirmation and delivery updates from the U.S. Postal Service, you can submit your email address. Anyone who asks for more information than that is a scammer. So, remember:

• Only go to COVID.gov  to order your free test kits from the federal government. When you click to order, you’ll be redirected to  special.usps.com/testkits . If you’re following a link from a news story, double-check the URL that shows in your browser’s address bar.
• No one will call, text, or email you from the federal government to ask for your information to “help” you order free kits. Don’t give out your credit card, bank account, or Social Security number. Do not respond. Instead, report it to the FTC at  ReportFraud.ftc.gov .

This blog, originally posted on September 25, 2023, has been updated to reflect the extension of free COVID test kits through  COVID.gov .  

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Watch CBS News

Do COVID-19 tests still work after they expire? Here's how to tell.

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Anne Marie Lee , Alain Sherter

Updated on: November 21, 2023 / 6:19 PM EST / MoneyWatch

With  COVID-19 cases on the rise again  in the U.S., Americans are reviving a familiar precautionary measure: Screening for the virus using rapid at-home tests.

Many people still have kits the government formerly provided to all households for free, especially as some schools and businesses again require  tests. Yet different COVID-19 tests bear expiration dates on their packaging that have long since passed, raising questions about whether they're still effective. 

Once in short supply, test kits are now easier to come by, but they can be costly in stores, roughly $25 for a pack of two tests. It's also still possible for both insured and uninsured people to get free testing. The government is once again offering  free rapid at-home tests by mail , which you can order online at  COVIDTests.gov . 

• More free COVID-19 tests can be ordered now, as uptick looms
• Free COVID test kits are coming back. Here's how to get them.

If you still have any older tests stored away, the good news is that some COVID-19 test kits that are past their expiration dates may still be effective. Here's how to find out if your  COVID-19 test is safe to use. 

Why did the FDA extend expiration dates?

The Food and Drug Administration maintains a list of authorized over-the-counter  COVID-19 diagnostic tests that indicate if the expiration date printed on their packaging is valid or if it has been extended. 

The FDA has extended the expiration dates of several different test brands, lengthening their shelf lives to up to two years. The extensions come in response to manufacturers testing their kits for accuracy beyond their printed expiration dates and sharing the results with the FDA. 

See the FDA's full list of test-kit expiration date extensions here . 

Which test brands can you use after they've "expired"?

Abbott's widely used BinaxNow COVID-19 test kits now have a shelf life of up to 22 months, depending on when the tests were manufactured. In January of 2023, the pharmaceutical firm  told customers that kits they'd previously purchased "may now have a longer than labeled product expiry date." To see if a BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test kit in your possession has a new expiration date, you can search for its lot number in the attached list here .

"All BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test kits currently have a twenty-two-month expiry date," the company said. Abbott added that expiration dates could be extended again in the future, pending new data on their viability.

The Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test from Acon Laboratories can also be used well past its printed expiration date, according to the FDA, which granted the extension in March. The tests are good for an additional year past their expiration dates. For example, tests with printed "October 2022" expiration dates should be considered appropriate for usage until October 2023. 

What happens if a COVID-19 test is truly expired?

Users of other tests, like Ellume's COVID-19 Home Test, should refer to the expiration date printed on the tests' packaging. If a test truly has expired, the results it delivers cannot be trusted, according to the FDA.

"COVID-19 tests and the parts they are made of may degrade, or break down, over time. Because of this, expired test kits could give inaccurate or invalid test results," the FDA said in a statement on its website. 

• Food and Drug Administration
• Coronavirus

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 to discuss her reporting.

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When and What Day to Test for COVID-19

With Symptoms or After Initial Exposure

• When to Take a COVID Test
• Types of Tests
• Understanding Results
• When to Test Again

If you have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 , you may want to get tested. It is the only way to know for sure whether you have the illness.

If you choose not to get tested, you may unknowingly pass the virus to others. You can even pass the virus before symptoms start and even if you are asymptomatic (have no symptoms). 

You have a couple of options for COVID-19 testing, including rapid tests for testing at home. No matter how you plan on testing, knowing the right time to take a COVID-19 test and which test to use can be challenging. 

This article covers when to test, types of available tests, test results, and more. 

Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images

When to Take a COVID Test  

When you test often depends on when you were exposed and whether you have symptoms .

CDC guidance on when to test for COVID-19 includes:

• Test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
• If you have symptoms and test negative for the COVID-19 virus, you can continue to test daily or test again at 48 hours.
• If you have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case and do not have symptoms, wait five days before testing. 

You should also test before attending a large event or visiting someone at high risk for infections or COVID-19 complications. You should test within 24 to 48 hours before the event or visit. 

Most people will test positive once they are showing symptoms. Symptoms of COVID include:

• New loss of taste or smell
• Fever or chills
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath or breathing troubles
• Muscle and body aches

A 2023 study found that when people are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19, their viral load (amount of virus in the body) is the highest four to five days after symptoms start. According to the study's authors, testing too early could give you a false-negative result (testing negative even though you're positive) because of a lower viral load at this time. 

If you are feeling sick, you should test and seek medical care. If you are someone who is at high risk for COVID-19 complications or you have had severe symptoms in the past, you should seek antiviral treatment as soon as symptoms start.

You can also test positive if you have a COVID-19 infection without symptoms. One 2021 research review reported asymptomatic COVID-19 in 40.5% of people who tested positive for the virus.

Not having symptoms should not dissuade you from getting tested for COVID-19. If you avoid getting tested after exposure and truly have the disease, you could put others at risk, especially high-risk individuals.

High-Risk Individuals

Some people are considered at high risk for developing infections like COVID-19 and experiencing infection complications. Individuals who might be considered high risk with COVID-19 include:

• Anyone over age 65
• People with a weakened immune system due to a condition taking medication affecting the immune system's ability to fight infection
• People with a chronic disease like asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Sore Throat and COVID-19

Having a sore throat or another lone symptom of COVID-19 does not mean you have COVID-19. A sore throat can be a symptom of other respiratory illnesses, including the common cold , the flu , and strep throat . Furthermore, not everyone with COVID-19 experiences a sore throat. 

While rare, it is possible to experience a sore throat as a lone symptom of COVID-19 . In this case, your illness would be considered mild. Around 81% of people with COVID-19 report a mild or moderate illness.

If you are concerned your sore throat is related to COVID-19, you should get tested, especially if you have been around someone else who is sick or if COVID-19 numbers in your local community are high.

Types of COVID-19 Testing 

You can test for COVID-19 using an antigen test or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Both tests are good at detecting active infections.

Antigen tests are also called rapid tests and can be performed at home or in a clinic. PCR tests are analyzed in a lab, which may take a few days to get results. 

As the name indicates, a rapid COVID test gives you fast results. These tests are simple to use and can be done in the privacy of your home. They can also be done at a healthcare provider's office or a COVID testing site. They do not need laboratory processing.

You can buy at-home rapid tests from a local pharmacy, grocery store, or online retailer without a prescription. You can test at home and get the tests within a short time.

Results of rapid tests are usually produced within 15 to 30 minutes. While a positive test can be accurate and reliable, rapid tests are less likely to detect the virus, especially in asymptomatic people. That means getting a negative test does not rule out infection.

According to the CDC, PCR tests are the gold standard for COVID testing. These highly sensitive tests are the most precise method for diagnosing an active infection. 

They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which means they are more likely to detect the virus than a rapid antigen test.

Your healthcare provider will take a sample specimen from your nose or mouth for the PCR test. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to three days for results. 

Testing for COVID: Understanding Results 

If you take a rapid test at home, a positive result means you likely have COVID-19. If you are at increased risk for serious illness, you should contact a healthcare provider who can recommend treatment options. You should also follow the CDC's guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus.

To reduce the chances of spreading COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you:

• Isolate at home until you've been fever-free for 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medication) AND your symptoms are mild and improving.      
• Take additional precautions for five days following isolation , such as wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and washing your hands often.

According to a 2021 JAMA Internal Medicine report, you are most contagious in the first two days before and after symptoms start. You could be contagious up to 10 days after symptoms start, especially if you have a more severe disease.

A negative result from an at-home rapid test means the test did not detect the virus that causes COVID-19, but this does not rule out the infection. This is because some tests do not detect the virus early on, and you may not get a positive result until you develop symptoms. In this case, you will want to repeat the test. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends retesting after a negative result without having symptoms if you have been in close contact with someone who tested positive or if COVID-19 is active in your community.

If your PCR test was positive, the test detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in your nasal or oral secretions. This result means you are infected with COVID-19 and should take steps to prevent the spread the virus to others. If you are older or have high-risk health conditions, contact a healthcare provider to consider antiviral treatment.

If your illness is mild, you can recover at home without medical care, but you should contact a healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or you are having breathing troubles.

While rare, a false-positive result can occur (one that is positive, but you don't have the infection). This is because the virus has RNA (a type of nucleic acid found in all living cells) as its genetic material. PCR tests make many copies of the genetic material from the virus. A positive sample is unlikely when viral RNA is absent. Even so, a false positive could occur, often due to contamination, a lab mix-up, or human error. 

A negative PCR test means you likely did not have an active COVID-19 infection when the test was taken. This result could mean you do not have the virus, but it is also possible to get a false-negative result.

This results when an infected person has insufficient viral genetic material from the sample for the PCR test to detect the COVID-19 virus and the results show negative when they should be positive for an active infection. This may happen if you test too early after exposure. A false negative is more likely than a false positive.

When to Retest for COVID-19 

To be sure you do not have COVID-19, the FDA recommends two negative antigen (at-home, rapid) tests if you have symptoms and three negative tests if you do not have symptoms and believe you were exposed to COVID-19. The tests should be separated by at least 48 hours.

A single PCR test can confirm a rapid test, and no further testing would be needed. If you develop symptoms days after receiving a negative PCR result, you might consider an at-home rapid test or contacting your healthcare provider for a second PCR test, especially if you have severe symptoms or you are at high-risk for infections or COVID-19 complications.

COVID-19 testing is vital to the treatment and prevention of the virus. However, determining when to test and which test to use can be challenging. 

You should test when you experience symptoms of the infection and if you have been around someone who has tested positive. If you have symptoms, test right away. Wait five days to test after exposure if you do not have symptoms.

If you have symptoms but test negative, you should test again after 48 hours. You should also test within a day or two before a large event or a visit to someone considered high-risk for COVID-19.

Rapid antigen tests are the most widely available and can be done in the privacy and comfort of your home. Results are available in around 15 to 30 minutes. 

PCR tests are considered the gold standard for COVID-19 testing because they are highly sensitive and can detect viral genetic material. A PCR test is done in a healthcare setting and sent to a lab with results in a few days.

A positive test likely means you have the virus and should take appropriate steps to avoid spreading the infection. If you tested negative with a rapid home test, you should wait 48 hours before retesting. A third test is recommended for someone who doesn't have symptoms but has had an exposure and tests negative on the first two tests.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19 testing: What you need to know .

Frediani JK, Parsons R, McLendon KB, et al.  The new normal: delayed peak SARS-CoV-2 viral loads relative to symptom onset and implications for COVID-19 testing programs .  Clin Infect Dis . 2023:ciad582. doi:10.1093/cid/ciad582

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Symptoms of COVID-19 .

National Institutes of Health (NIH).  COVID-19 treatments .

Ma Q, Liu J, Liu Q, et al. Global percentage of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections among the tested population and individuals with confirmed COVID-19diagnosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis .  JAMA Netw Open . 2021;4(12):e2137257. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.37257

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  People with certain medical conditions . 

Hjelmesæth J, Skaare D.  Loss of smell or taste as the only symptom of COVID-19. Covid-19 .  Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen . 2020;140(7):10.4045/tidsskr.20.0287. doi:10.4045/tidsskr.20.0287 

Food and Drug Administration. COVID-19 test basics .

National Human Genome Research Institute. Understanding COVID-19 PCR testing .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick .

Ge Y, Martinez L, Sun S, et al.  COVID-19 transmission dynamics among close contacts of index patients with COVID-19: A population-based cohort study in Zhejiang province, China .  JAMA Intern Med . 2021;181(10):1343-1350. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.4686

US Food and Drug Administration. Understanding at-home OTC COVID-19 antigen diagnostic test results .

Braunstein GD, Schwartz L, Hymel P, Fielding J. False positive results with SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR tests and how to evaluate a RT-PCR-positive test for the possibility of a false positive result .  J Occup Environ Med . 2021;63(3):e159-e162. doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002138

Food and Drug Administration. At-home COVID-19 antigen tests-take steps to reduce your risk of false negative results: FDA safety communication .

By Lana Barhum Barhum is a freelance medical writer with 15 years of experience with a focus on living and coping with chronic diseases.

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A Mayo Clinic virologist explains FLiRT and why you may need a new COVID-19 vaccination 

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 A new variant of COVID-19, known as FLiRT, is now the most dominant strain in the U.S. This variant, which evolved from the omicron strain, is characterized by changes in its spike protein — the part of the virus that binds to host cells. Dr. Matthew Binnicker , director of the  Clinical Virology Laboratory  at Mayo Clinic, says that these changes could increase the virus' ability to infect cells and evade the immune system, even in people who have previously been infected or vaccinated.

"This variant can evade the immune response more effectively than prior versions of the virus. If you've been infected, or you've been vaccinated, and you've got some antibodies in your system, those antibodies may not recognize the protein on the surface of the virus as well," says Dr. Binnicker.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this new variant is now  responsible  for more than 28% of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Dr. Binnicker says there is a potential for an increase in cases during the summer months, with a more significant surge expected in the fall and winter.

"I anticipate we'll see an uptick in cases with this more transmissible virus that can evade the immune system. But what I'm really watching are the fall and winter months because that's typically when we see the largest surge in respiratory viral infections ," he says.

Watch: Dr. Matthew Binnicker discusses COVID-19 FLiRT strains

Journalists: Broadcast-quality sound bites are available in the downloads at the bottom of the posts. Name super/CG: Matthew Binnicker, Ph.D./Laboratory Medicine and Pathology/Mayo Clinic

For those who are vaccinated, antibodies are present to combat the virus. However, the effectiveness of these antibodies can vary with different virus variants.

"With this latest round of variants, this FLiRT variant, the antibodies that you have from past vaccination may not bind and neutralize the virus as well. If you've been infected or vaccinated in the past three to four months, you’re probably going to have antibodies that are going to recognize these newer viruses effectively. And it will help you keep from getting really sick and may even help prevent you from coming down with any symptoms," says Dr. Binnicker.

"If you were infected or vaccinated more than six months ago, you may not have as good of protection, and you may come down with a subsequent infection with the typical symptoms of COVID," he adds.

Symptoms of FLiRT

The symptoms of this variant are consistent with other variants and include:

•  Sore throat
• Shortness of breath (especially in unvaccinated people or those infected long ago)

Receiving an updated vaccine will help protect you from the newer strain. 

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COVIDtest.gov has been helpful in getting tests out — but there's more work to do

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The White House committed to buying a billion rapid COVID tests to distribute in the U.S. The launch of COVIDtests.gov has made it easy for Americans to order free tests, but there are still issues.

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COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know

COVID-19 testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment  to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.

• Choose the right type of test for your circumstance
• For antigen tests, follow test directions as recommended by FDA and the test manufacturer

If you do not, your results may be less likely to correctly indicate whether you have COVID-19 or not.

Types of Tests

Choosing a covid-19 test, getting a covid-19 test.

• Positive Test Result
• Negative Test Result

Viral tests look for a current infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, by testing specimens from your nose or mouth.

There are two main types of viral tests:

• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests
• Antigen tests

PCR tests are the “gold standard” for COVID-19 tests. They are a type of nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), which are more likely to detect the virus than antigen tests. Your sample will usually be taken by a healthcare provider and transported to a laboratory for testing. It may take up to 3 days to receive results.

Antigen Tests

Antigen tests* are rapid tests that usually produce results in 15-30 minutes. Positive results are accurate and reliable. However, in general, antigen tests are less likely to detect the virus than PCR tests, especially when symptoms are not present. Therefore, a single negative antigen test cannot rule out infection. To be confident you do not have COVID-19, FDA recommends 2 negative antigen tests for individuals with symptoms or 3 antigen tests for those without symptoms, performed 48 hours apart. A single PCR test can be used to confirm an antigen test result.

*Self-tests, or at-home tests, are antigen tests that can be taken anywhere without having to go to a specific testing site. Read self-test package inserts thoroughly and follow the instructions closely when performing the test.

I want to get tested and:

You may choose a PCR or antigen test. If you use an antigen test and your result is negative, repeat testing following FDA recommendations .

30 days or less

I have symptoms Use an antigen test. Repeat negative tests following FDA recommendations .

I do not have symptoms Testing is not recommended to detect a new infection.

I do not have symptoms Use an antigen test. Repeat negative tests following  FDA recommendations .

After a positive test result, you may continue to test positive for some time. Some tests, especially PCR tests, may continue to show a positive result for up to 90 days. Reinfections can occur within 90 days, which can make it hard to know if a positive test indicates a new infection.  Consider consulting a healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about your circumstances.

Buy self-tests (at-home tests)

Buy self-tests (at-home tests) online or in pharmacies and retail stores. If you have health insurance, it may reimburse the cost of purchasing self-tests. Visit FDA’s website for a list of authorized tests.

Go to a testing location

• Visit a community-based testing location , such as a pharmacy or health center near you. These locations may offer PCR or antigen tests, and provide low- or no-cost testing for everyone, including people without insurance. Free PCR or antigen tests may also be available through your local health department .
• Talk to a doctor or healthcare provider about other testing options that may be available to you.
• If you are a person with a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line can help you access a test or find a test location.

Interpreting Your Results

A positive COVID-19 test means the virus was detected and you have or recently had an infection .

• Take steps to prevent spreading  COVID-19.
• Monitor your symptoms . If you have any emergency warning signs , seek emergency care immediately.
• Seek health care right away for treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may be an option to make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time you are sick. Treatment needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.

A negative COVID-19 test means the test did not detect the virus, but this  doesn’t rule out that you could have an infection . If you used an antigen test, follow FDA recommendations for repeat testing .

• You may have COVID-19 but tested before the virus was detectable.
• You may have another viral infection or illness.
• Take actions to help protect yourself and others from health risks caused by respiratory viruses.
• Contact a healthcare provider if you have any questions about your test result.

Testing Resources for Healthcare Professionals: Healthcare Workers |  Labs

Search for and find historical COVID-19 pages and files. Please note the content on these pages and files is no longer being updated and may be out of date.

• Visit archive.cdc.gov for a historical snapshot of the COVID-19 website, capturing the end of the Federal Public Health Emergency on June 28, 2023.
• Visit the dynamic COVID-19 collection  to search the COVID-19 website as far back as July 30, 2021.

To receive email updates about COVID-19, enter your email address:

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

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How do I know if I have Covid? Only a test can say for sure

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

As the nation enters yet another summer Covid wave , doctors say it’s nearly impossible to diagnose a person with the illness based on symptoms alone.

“Every week, we test someone for Covid who I didn’t think had it who tests positive. Then we have others who I’m pretty sure have Covid who test negative,” said Dr. Steven Furr, a family physician in Jackson, Alabama, and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

“It’s really hard to separate Covid from any other respiratory illness right now,” he said.

Covid patients, Furr and other doctors said, are showing up at clinics with a spectrum of symptoms .

“Some people have a very classic sore throat, runny nose, cough and low-grade fever,” said Dr. Paul Sax, the clinical director of the division of infectious diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “In others, it’s mostly nausea and diarrhea with very minimal respiratory symptoms. It can vary from A to Z and beyond.”

Dr. Bernard Camins, medical director for infection prevention at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, has noted the same trend.

Without a test, “you can’t tell nowadays whether it’s a cold or Covid,” Camins said.

As of mid-June, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it appeared that Covid infections were rising in 39 states. Covid-related emergency department visits , hospitalizations and deaths are all up as well.

Covid keeps changing to be more contagious

The diagnostic landscape is dramatically different from 2020, when a fever was considered a strong indication of Covid.

“That’s not really a major sign anymore,” Furr said. “Now, there’s no one symptom where you say, ‘Hey, you probably have Covid.’ Without a test, we’re not going to know for sure.”

There are multiple reasons for the change. Nearly everyone’s immune system has been exposed to the virus multiple times through vaccination, infection or both.

“That appears to ameliorate the severity of the disease over time,” Sax said. “Recurrent infections are typically milder than first-time infections — not always, but usually.”

What’s more, the virus itself has changed again and again. The latest omicron subvariants that account for a majority of cases — KP.3, KP.2 and LB.1 — are adept at making people sick, but usually not too sick.

LB.1 in particular “has the potential to infect some people more easily based on a single deletion in a spike protein,” a CDC spokesman said in an email. “However, there is currently no evidence that LB.1 causes more severe disease.”

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration told vaccine makers to target the KP.2 strain for this fall’s round of Covid shots . On Thursday, a CDC advisory panel is scheduled to discuss who should get them .

The experts are at least likely to recommend updated Covid vaccines for people most at risk of complications: older adults 65 and above and people who are severely immunocompromised, such as organ transplant recipients.

People with underlying conditions are also likely to be on the list. Sax said that many people hospitalized with Covid now have other chronic illnesses, such as congestive heart failure.

“Their heart isn’t pumping very well” to begin with, he said. “Then along comes Covid, and their congestive heart failure gets worse.”

When to test, and when to isolate?

Given the array of possible Covid symptoms, it may be difficult to know when to take a test. And tests may give false negatives if taken too early.

“We still have cases who test negative on initial testing and test positive a day or two later,” said Dr. Abraar Karan, an infectious disease fellow at Stanford Medicine in California. Karan said that’s not surprising because “the amount of virus present has to increase enough in the sample for it to be detectable.”

Antigen tests — the ones many Americans have squirreled away at home — are especially susceptible to false negatives when people first start to feel sick.

“Rapid tests often aren’t positive on the first day of symptoms,” Sax said. “It often takes day two or three or four” for the test to pick up enough of the virus for a positive result.

If a person does test positive, there is no longer a mandatory five-day isolation period , the CDC said this spring in updated guidance.

Instead, the CDC advises that people stay home when they’re symptomatic, but return to school, work and social activities once they’re feeling better.

“Once the symptoms resolve or are all but done, there really are no rules about stopping isolation,” Sax said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com

Suggestions

Airlines seek review of n200, 000 covid-19 test protocol per traveller.

• February 8, 2022

The airlines, under the aegis of International Air Transport Association (IATA), said scientific evidence no longer supports the safety objectives of pre-departure COVID-19 tests for all travellers. Same for blanket quarantine, self-isolation at destinations, coupled with travel bans in some parts of the world.

Findings showed that in Nigeria and few others, the COVID-19 racketeering has assumed a revenue-driven motive for the government and private sector operators rather than for public health purposes.

Travel expert at Dart Travels and Tour, Yinka Ladipo, said there are many customers that are discouraged by the COVID-19 test-induced hike in air fares.

IATA noted that the costs of COVID-19 test on family travel is even more severe. Based on average ticket prices of $200 for domestic travel and average low-end PCR testing ($90) twice each way, a journey for four that would have cost $1,600 pre-COVID could nearly double to $3,040—with $1440 being testing costs.

IATA, in partnership with Airlines for America (A4A) and 28 U.S. and international aviation and travel and tourism stakeholder groups, therefore, urged the U.S. government and others to remove the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated air travellers flying to the United States.

The airlines argued that the vaccinated traveller population adds no additional risks to the domestic U.S. population, especially. Increased immunity levels, the pervasiveness of COVID-19 in all 50 U.S. states, rising vaccination rates and new therapeutics, all point to removing the testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers.

“In fact, at this stage of the pandemic, travel should be managed in the same way as access to shopping malls, restaurants or offices,” Walsh said.

Indeed, more than 74.3 million people – meaning at least 22 per cent of the U.S. population –have had COVID-19, and that is almost certainly an undercount owing to asymptomatic infections and limited testing early in the pandemic. When combined with an adult population that is 74 per cent fully vaccinated, it is clear that the U.S. is developing very high levels of population immunity.

The organisations also noted that the European Union (EU) has recommended that its member states remove COVID-19 travel restrictions for travel within the EU, and the United Kingdom has announced the removal of COVID-19 pre-departure testing for vaccinated air travellers to enter the country. The UK concluded that the cost to both passengers and airlines of the testing mandate could no longer be justified, as there was no evidence the regime protected the population from COVID-19.

Furthermore, IATA’s most recent air traveler survey showed that 62 per cent of respondents support removing a testing requirement for those who are fully vaccinated.

“Removing the pre-departure testing requirement for fully vaccinated travellers will greatly support the recovery of travel and aviation in the U.S. and globally without increasing the spread of COVID-19 and its variants in the U.S. population. There is no use in closing the barn door after the horse has bolted,” Walsh said.

Travel consultant, Sunday Olumegbon, yesterday noted that raising the cost of any product will significantly stifle demand.

“We have seen that impact globally, not only in Nigeria. The impact is greatest for short-haul trips (up to 1,100 km), with average fares of $105, the tests will cost more than the flight. That’s not what you want to propose to travellers as we emerge from this crisis.

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• COVID-19 test protocol

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Here’s the AP’s factcheck of the first Biden-Trump 2024 presidential debate

By The Associated Press, Associated Press

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump traded barbs and a variety of false and misleading information as they faced off in their first debate of the 2024 election.

Trump falsely represented the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol as a relatively small number of people who were ushered in by police and misstated the strength of the economy during his administration.

Biden, who tends to lean more on exaggerations and embellishments rather than outright lies, misrepresented the cost of insulin and overstated what Trump said about using disinfectant to address COVID. Here’s a look at the false and misleading claims on Thursday night by the two candidates.

TRUMP: “They talk about a relatively small number of people that went to the Capitol and in many cases were ushered in by the police.”

THE FACTS: That’s false. The attack on the U.S. Capitol was the deadliest assault on the seat of American power in over 200 years. As thoroughly documented by video, photographs and people who were there, thousands of people descended on Capitol Hill in what became a brutal scene of hand-to-hand combat with police.

In an internal memo on March 7, 2023, U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said that the allegation that “our officers helped the rioters and acted as ‘tour guides’” is “outrageous and false.” A Capitol Police spokesperson confirmed the memo’s authenticity to The Associated Press. More than 1,400 people have been charged with federal crimes stemming from the riot. More than 850 people have pleaded guilty to crimes, and 200 others have been convicted at trial.

TRUMP, on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s actions on Jan. 6: “Because I offered her 10,000 soldiers or National Guard and she turned them down.”

THE FACTS: Pelosi did not direct the National Guard. Further, as the Capitol came under attack, she and then-Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell called for military assistance, including from the National Guard.

The Capitol Police Board makes the decision on whether to call National Guard troops to the Capitol. It is made up of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol. The board decided not to call the guard ahead of the insurrection but did eventually request assistance after the rioting had already begun, and the troops arrived several hours later.

The House Sergeant at Arms reported to Pelosi and the Senate Sergeant at Arms reported to McConnell. There is no evidence that either Pelosi or McConnell directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand. Drew Hammill, a then-spokesperson for Pelosi, said after the insurrection that Pelosi was never informed of such a request.

TAXES AND REGULATIONS

TRUMP, on Biden: “He wants to raise your taxes by four times.”

THE FACTS: That’s not accurate.

Trump has used that line at rallies, but it has no basis in fact. Biden actually wants to prevent tax increases on anyone making less than $400,000, which is the vast majority of taxpayers.

More importantly, Biden’s budget proposal does not increase taxes as much as Trump claims, though the increases are focused on corporations and the wealthy. Trump’s 2017 tax cuts for individuals are set to expire after 2025, because they were not fully funded when they became law.

TRUMP, referring to Jan. 6, 2021, the day a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol in an effort to stop the certification of Biden’s victory: “On January 6th we had the lowest taxes ever. We had the lowest regulations ever on January 6th.”

THE FACTS: The current federal income tax was only instituted in 1913, and tax rates have fluctuated significantly in the decades since. Rates were lower in the 1920s, just prior to the Great Depression. Trump did cut taxes during his time in the White House, but the rates weren’t the lowest in history.

Government regulations have also ebbed and flowed in the country’s history, but there’s been an overall increase in regulations as the country modernized and its population grew. There are now many more regulations covering the environment, employment, financial transactions and other aspects of daily life. While Trump slashed some regulations, he didn’t take the country back to the less regulated days of its past.

BIDEN: “It’s $15 for an insulin shot, as opposed to $400.”

THE FACTS: No, that’s not exactly right. Out-of-pocket insulin costs for older Americans on Medicare were capped at $35 in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that President Joe Biden signed into law. The cap took effect last year, when many drugmakers announced they would lower the price of the drug to $35 for most users on private insurance. But Biden regularly overstates that many people used to pay up to $400 monthly. People with diabetes who have Medicare or private insurance paid about $450 yearly prior to the law, a Department of Health and Human Services study released in December 2022 found.

CLIMATE CHANGE

TRUMP, touting his environmental record, said that “during my four years, I had the best environmental numbers ever” and that he supports “immaculate” air and water.

THE FACTS: That’s far from the whole story. During his presidency, Trump rolled back some provisions of the Clean Water Act, eased regulations on coal, oil and gas companies and pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord. When wildfires struck California in 2020, Trump dismissed the scientific consensus that climate change had played a role. Trump also dismissed scientists’ warnings about climate change and routinely proposed deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency. Those reductions were blocked by Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

TRUMP: “The problem they have is they’re radical because they will take the life of a child in the eighth month, the ninth month, and even after birth, after birth.”

THE FACTS: Trump inaccurately referred to abortions after birth. Infanticide is criminalized in every state, and no state has passed a law that allows killing a baby after birth.

Abortion rights advocates say terms like this and “late-term abortions” attempt to stigmatize abortions later in pregnancy. Abortions later in pregnancy are exceedingly rare. In 2020, less than 1% of abortions in the United States were performed at or after 21 weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Abortions later in pregnancy also are usually the result of serious complications, such as fetal anomalies, that put the life of the woman or fetus at risk, medical experts say. In most cases, these are also wanted pregnancies, experts say.

TRUMP on Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia: “He should have had him out a long time ago, but Putin’s probably asking for billions and billions of dollars because this guy pays it every time.”

THE FACTS: Trump is wrong to say that Biden pays any sort of fee “every time” to secure the release of hostages and wrongfully detained Americans. There’s also zero evidence that Putin is asking for any money in order to free Gershkovich. Just like in the Trump administration, the deals during the Biden administration that have brought home hostages and detainees involved prisoner swaps — not money transfers.

Trump’s reference to money appeared to be about the 2023 deal in which the U.S. secured the release of five detained Americans in Iran after billions of dollars in frozen Iranian assets were transferred from banks in South Korea to Qatar. The U.S. has said that that the money would be held in restricted accounts and will only be able to be used for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food.

BIDEN: Trump told Americans to “inject bleach” into their arms to treat COVID-19.

THE FACTS: That’s overstating it. Rather, Trump asked whether it would be possible to inject disinfectant into the lungs.

“And then I see the disinfectant, where it knocks it out in one minute,” he said at an April 2020 press conference. “And is there a way we can do something like that, by injection inside or almost a cleaning, because you see it gets in the lungs and it does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it’d be interesting to check that, so that you’re going to have to use medical doctors with, but it sounds interesting to me. So, we’ll see, but the whole concept of the light, the way it kills it in one minute. That’s pretty powerful.”

SUPER PREDATORS

TRUMP: “What he’s done to the Black population is horrible, including the fact that for 10 years he called them ‘super predators.’ … We can’t forget that – super predators … And they’ve taken great offense at it.”

THE FACTS: This oft-repeated claim by Trump dating back to the 2020 campaign is untrue. It was Hillary Clinton, then the first lady, who used the term “super predator” to advocate for the 1994 crime bill that Biden co-authored more than thirty years ago. Biden did warn of “predators” in a floor speech in support of his bill.

TRUMP, referring to Biden: “He’s the one that killed people with a bad border and flooding hundreds of thousands of people dying and also killing our citizens when they come in.”

THE FACTS: A mass influx of migrants coming into the U.S. illegally across the southern border has led to a number of false and misleading claims by Trump. For example, he regularly claims other countries are emptying their prisons and mental institutions to send to the U.S. There is no evidence to support that.

Trump has also argued the influx of immigrants is causing a crime surge in the U.S., although statistics actually show violent crime is on the way down.

There have been recent high-profile and heinous crimes allegedly committed by people in the country illegally. But FBI statistics do not separate out crimes by the immigration status of the assailant, nor is there any evidence of a spike in crime perpetrated by migrants, either along the U.S.-Mexico border or in cities seeing the greatest influx of migrants, like New York. Studies have found that people living in the country illegally are less likely than native-born Americans to have been arrested for violent, drug and property crimes. For more than a century, critics of immigration have sought to link new arrivals to crime. In 1931, the Wickersham Commission did not find any evidence supporting a connection between immigration and increased crime, and many studies since then have reached similar conclusions.

Texas is the only state that tracks crimes by immigration status. A 2020 study published by the National Academy of Sciences found “considerably lower felony arrest rates” among people in the United States illegally than legal immigrants or native-born.

Some crime is expected given the large population of immigrants. There were an estimated 10.5 million people in the country illegally in 2021, according to the latest estimate by Pew Research Center, a figure that has almost certainly risen with large influxes at the border. In 2022, the Census Bureau estimated the foreign-born population at 46.2 million, or nearly 14% of the total, with most states seeing double-digit percentage increases in the last dozen years.

CHARLOTTESVILLE

BIDEN, referring to Trump after the deadly white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017: “The one who said I think they’re fine people on both sides.”

THE FACTS: Trump did use those words to describe attendees of the deadly rally, which was planned by white nationalists. But as Trump supporters have pointed out, he also said that day that he wasn’t talking about the neo-Nazis and white nationalists in attendance.

“You had some very bad people in that group,” Trump said during a news conference a few days after the rally, “But you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides.”

He then added that he wasn’t talking about “the neo-Nazis and the white nationalists, because they should be condemned totally.” Instead, he said, the press had been unfair in its treatment of protesters who were there to innocently and legally protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The gathering planned by white nationalists shocked the nation when it exploded into chaos: violent brawling in the streets, racist and antisemitic chants, smoke bombs, and finally, a car speeding into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one and injuring dozens more.

TRUMP: We had the greatest economy in history.”

THE FACTS: That’s not accurate. First of all, the pandemic triggered a massive recession during his presidency. The government borrowed $3.1 trillion in 2020 to stabilize the economy. Trump had the ignominy of leaving the White House with fewer jobs than when he entered.

But even if you take out issues caused by the pandemic, economic growth averaged 2.67% during Trump’s first three years. That’s pretty solid. But it’s nowhere near the 4% averaged during Bill Clinton’s two terms from 1993 to 2001, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In fact, growth has been stronger so far under Biden than under Trump.

Trump did have the unemployment rate get as low as 3.5% before the pandemic. But again, the labor force participation rate for people 25 to 54 — the core of the U.S. working population — was higher under Clinton. The participation rate has also been higher under Biden than Trump.

Trump also likes to talk about how low inflation was under him. Gasoline fell as low as $1.77 a gallon. But, of course, that price dip happened during pandemic lockdowns when few people were driving. The low prices were due to a global health crisis, not Trump’s policies.

Similarly, average 30-year mortgage rates dipped to 2.65% during the pandemic. Those low rates were a byproduct of Federal Reserve efforts to prop up a weak economy, rather than the sign of strength that Trump now suggests it was.

MILITARY DEATHS

BIDEN: “The truth is, I’m the only president this century that doesn’t have any — this decade — any troops dying anywhere in the world like he did.”

THE FACTS: At least 16 service members have been killed in hostile action since Biden took office in January 2021. On Aug. 26, 2021, 13 died during a suicide bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, as U.S. troops withdrew from the country. An enemy drone killed three U.S. service members at a desert base in Jordan on Jan. 28 of this year.

PRESIDENTIAL RECORD

BIDEN: “159, or 58, don’t know an exact number, presidential historians, they’ve had meetings and they voted, who is the worst president in American history … They said he was the worst in all American history. That’s a fact. That’s not conjecture.”

THE FACTS: That’s almost right, but not quite. The survey in question, a project from professors at the University of Houston and Coastal Carolina University, included 154 usable responses, from 525 respondents invited to participate.

GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS

TRUMP, on Minneapolis protests after the killing of George Floyd: “If I didn’t bring in the National Guard, that city would have been destroyed.”

THE FACTS: Trump didn’t call the National Guard into Minneapolis during the unrest following the death of George Floyd. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz deployed the National Guard to the city.

Associated Press writers Josh Boak, Elliot Spagat, Eric Tucker, Ali Swenson, Christina Cassidy, Amanda Seitz, Stephen Groves, David Klepper, Melissa Goldin and Hope Yen contributed to this report.

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Election latest: Rishi Sunak 'pulls emergency ripcord' by summoning Boris Johnson

Former prime minister Boris Johnson has spoken at his first Tory campaign event of the general election, saying Labour will "destroy so much of what we have achieved".

Tuesday 2 July 2024 23:05, UK

• General Election 2024

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Election week

• Boris Johnson makes surprise first appearance of election campaign
• Sam Coates: Sunak pulls the emergency ripcord
• Labour 99% certain to beat Blair's landslide - poll
• 'I just want to lose,' Tory minister tells  Sky's Sam Coates
• 'Enormous increase' in postal votes
• Reform 'very disappointed' as another candidate quits
• Explained:  Why 'supermajority' warnings don't add up
• Electoral Dysfunction: What to watch out for on election night
• Live reporting by Ben Bloch

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges:  Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid | Reform | SNP
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts:  Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo
• How to watch election on Sky News

Thank you for joining us on the Politics Hub for the second-to-last day of the general election campaign.

It ended with something of a bang, with Boris Johnson making a surprise appearance on the campaign trail with just one full day left until polls open.

Join us again tomorrow from 6am for live coverage of the last full day of this general election campaign.

We've had some reaction from the Liberal Democrats to Boris Johnson's surprise appearance at a campaign event alongside Boris Johnson.

Referencing Partygate, the scandal that led to the demise of his premiership, the party's deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: "This is an insult to everyone who made heartbreaking sacrifices during the pandemic.

"Rishi Sunak has reached a desperate new low, turning to a man who discredited the office of prime minister and lied to the country time after time.

"It is time to boot out this tired and sleaze-ridden Conservative Party."

Our deputy political editor Sam Coates  describes Boris Johnson's campaign appearance with Rishi Sunak as "a surprise and a gamble".

He says: "Rishi Sunak has pulled the emergency ripcord with one full day of campaigning left to go in this election, and summoned Boris Johnson - his predecessor but one - to front a rally here in central London, just as so many different candidates face disaster in this election."

Sam describes the move as "extraordinary", noting that Mr Sunak helped oust Mr Johnson two years ago.

"Now he is relying on him for an election campaign boost at the 11th hour."

Sam says the crowd "cheered" Mr Johnson and "loved to see him".

But Sam also notes: "He talked about himself, he talked about his 2019 election victory, he talked about his record in government".

The ex-PM also rolled out some of the Tory campaign's attack lines on Labour, but Sam adds: "What he didn't say was just as important.

"He did not lavish praise on his successor, Rishi Sunak, and he did not shake his hand after his appearance."

Rishi Sunak is on his feet at a campaign event in London as the general election campaign enters its final hours.

He thanks Boris Johnson for his support, and says it is "shameful" to suggest Jeremy Corbyn would have made a better a prime minister. 

"Boris was right to say now is the time for all Conservatives to come together to deny Labour that super majority that Keir Starmer craves," he adds. 

"We have 48 hours to save Britain from the danger of a Labour government." 

He says the Conservatives need to "fight for every vote" and he knows that the election result is not a "foregone conclusion". 

"Every single vote matters... we have got to give it one more push," he adds.

He urges people to "get out" and support a number of Tory candidates.

Addressing the Conservatives' record, his says the party has rescued the UK from "Labour's bankruptcy" under David Cameron's leadership, and has delivered the third-fastest growth in the G7. 

He also notes the introduction of the pension triple lock, support for Ukraine, the COVID vaccine rollout, and Brexit. 

But, he acknowledges that people are "hesitant" to support the party. 

"I am not blind to their frustrations with me, with our party. It has been a very difficult few years for our country," he says. 

"We haven't got everything right, we haven't made as much progress in every area as we would have liked, but I would say to everybody that this Thursday is not a by-election. 

"It is a choice about the future of our country, and that choice has severe consequences for your family if you get it wrong." 

He takes aim at Labour's plans for the country, saying it will not tackle illegal immigration, will make the UK "more reliant on foreign energy" and will "raise everyone's taxes". 

"You name it - they will tax it," he adds. "A vote for the Conservatives is a vote for lower taxes." 

He says there will be tax cuts under a Conservative government, which sparks cheers from the crowd. 

"We want Rishi," one person can be heard shouting. 

Mr Sunak concludes by saying he will work "day and night" to deliver for the country. 

"Do not surrender to Labour. Let's get out there and fight for every vote," he says. 

 Boris Johnson has taken to the podium to cheers of "Boris".

He thanks supporters for attending the event "way past Sir Keir Starmer's bedtime."

He tells the crowd: "If you are slightly surprised to see me, I'm going to be absolutely clear that I was glad when Rishi [Sunak] asked me to help - of course I couldn't say no."

"We are here because we love our country," he says.

Mr Johnson adds: "Whatever our differences, they are utterly trivial by comparison with the disaster we may face if these so-called opinion polls are right."

"If these polls are right then at the very moment this country has beaten COVID and at the very moment we should be encouraging enterprise and growth - Westminster is about to go diametrically in the opposite direction," he says.

Mr Johnson says Labour will "destroy so much of what we have achieved".

He adds that "it will be the height of insanity if these polls are right".

"Labour are so cocky and complacent, they are barely concealing their agenda anymore," he says. 

"Whacking up taxes on pensions and property and persecuting private enterprise and attacking private education and private healthcare.

"All the while, Starmer is so terrified of disappointing left-wing dogma he is reluctant to explain the difference between a man and a woman and sits there with his mouth opening and shutting like a stunned mullet."

He concludes by saying: "Vote Conservative on Thursday!"

Watch Mr Johnson's full speech here .

Michael Gove is speaking at a Conservative campaign event in London.

He tells crowds he wants them to vote with "pride".

"Our children are the best readers in the western world and our schools are the best in Europe - this is all down to the Conservative Party," he says.

Mr Gove says "we got Brexit done" and "had the fastest vaccine rollout in the world".

"Let's stand up and say we are proud to be Conservative," he says.

"Let's stand up and say we are proud Rishi Sunak is our prime minister."

He says "at the heart of Rishi is a moral core than cannot be broken".

He adds: "In an uncertain world we cannot take the risk of the alternative."

Mr Gove asks the crowds: "What has Keir Starmer ever done for us?"

"This Corbyn hugging, tax raising, flip flopping apology for a leader should never be allowed anywhere near Number 10," he adds.

"He is the jellyfish of British politics.

"Transparent, spineless and swept away by any incoming tide."

A Conservative Party campaign event is under way in London.

We expect to hear from the prime minister as he fights to, as he puts it, prevent a "Labour supermajority".

Watch live in the stream above, at the link below - and follow updates here in the Politics Hub.

By  Faye Brown , political reporter

Kemi Badenoch and Suella Braverman have denied being associated with website domains purporting to be for future leadership bids.

It comes as a source close to Penny Mordaunt told Sky News she kept her domain active from  the 2022 contests  "for the same reason you'd keep a spare tire in the boot" - and not to mount a challenge against the PM.

With Rishi Sunak widely expected to lose the election on Thursday, there has been mounting speculation about what direction the Conservatives will head in and who could take command.

While Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker has been  open about fancying his chances , other senior Tories are keeping their cards close to their chests.

Over the weekend it emerged a website called kemi4leader.co.uk was registered in April and currently redirects to the Conservative Party homepage.

Business Secretary Ms Badenoch has long been considered a favourite to succeed Mr Sunak on the Conservative right.

However, a source close to her told Sky News the website domain is "nothing to do with her".

Ms Braverman has also told Sky News a website, Suella4leader.co.uk, which redirects to her personal website, has nothing to do with her.

Read more here:

Tonight's poll from Survation suggests Labour are almost certain to outperform the landslide win achieved by Tony Blair in 1997.

It has the party winning 484 seats, with the Tories a distant second on 64 ( see 19.01 post ).

It will likely see Rishi Sunak ramp up his warnings of a Labour "supermajority" even further.

It's a term the Tories have been banding about for weeks - but what does it mean, and why does Mr Sunak think it'll work?

What's the PM getting at?

"Supermajority" is being used by Mr Sunak to refer to the scale of the Labour victory being projected by many pollsters - with some saying they could top the 419 seats won by Tony Blair in 1997.

That gave Labour a majority of 179, but with the Tories tipped to do even worse than they did back then (165 seats), Sir Keir Starmer could end up enjoying the biggest parliamentary advantage on record.

Mr Sunak has said such a "supermajority" would make it harder for the Labour Party to be held to account in the Commons.

Is he right to sound the alarm?

Well, no - because the concept of a supermajority is meaningless in British democracy.

It's a familiar phrase in US politics, where a supermajority of two-thirds really does matter in some votes. 

For example, Congress is required for particularly significant legislation like impeaching a president to hit that two-thirds threshold.

In the UK, a governing party only has to hold more than half of the 650 seats in the Commons, whether that be 326 or much more.

A majority of one could be just as effective as something much bigger - as long as the majority party keeps its MPs in line.

Some have argued the "supermajority" concept isn't without merit, for example in referendums, but it's certainly not relevant to this election despite the Tories' best efforts to make it so.

Whether it's healthy for parliament to be as dominated by one party as it could be from 5 July is another question - but whatever the majority Labour might have, there'll be nothing super about it.

The first big moment of election night this Thursday is the exit poll.

It'll provide us with our first major insight into the result.

Our political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh explains all you need to know:

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