Let’s Talk Testing

Mischa wrote on Sunday: “I called three different pharmacies and nobody has tests. One even picked up saying “Hello! This is CVS. We don’t have at-home Covid tests.” Does anyone in DC still have at-home tests?”

Note of clarification from lauren:

“Quick reminder from someone working in public health. At-home rapid antigen tests are not the same as the library test in dc. The library test in dc are pcr and are sent to the same lab as the other tests, they are not rapid.

Rapid tests are useful if you need immediate results. PCR are useful if you need more accurate results. If you take a rapid test and it’s negative but you have symptoms you should take a confirmatory pcr. Just throwing this out there as there seems to be confusion on the tests”

And more via email:

“PCR and rapid antigen tests are not the same. However, they are both useful- you can read more here: How Accurate Are At-Home Covid Tests? Here’s a Quick Guide – The New York Times (nytimes.com). Rapid antigen tests are great for immediate results (15 minutes or less) and screening.  Rapid tests are less sensitive than PCR tests and could give a false negative especially during the earliest stages of infection. It’s important to confirm rapid antigen tests with a PCR if you are symptomatic but your test is negative. Rapid tests are great if you have high viral loads and are helpful for quick public health decisions. They are anywhere from 70% to 85% accurate depending on the brand. Rapid tests are available over the counter at most pharmacies; however, they are sold out across DC. I would personally look at pharmacies outside of DC.  I also assume they are not sold out forever, so we’ll be past this at some point.

• Today DC said they’ve expanded their library program to include rapid tests. Previously the self-testing program at libraries only included PCR.
• It looks like Sameday Health is offering rapid antigen tests for 95 dollars and I’m sure other health facilities are doing so as well if you need results in 15 minutes. I did a quick search for “rapid tests” and urgent care, and some urgent care facilities were offering rapid tests.
• I believe there is a library rapid testing program in Arlington (not to be confused with DC’s library program) and Montgomery County also has a free rapid testing program.

PCR tests are typically considered the “gold standard in testing.”  PCR tests are offered for free by DC Public Health- they have to be returned to a lab. This link shows you all the public testing sites and many of the hospital sites in DC.

• DC also has a “Test Yourself” program at libraries. These were previously just PCR tests, though as noted above they will now include rapid tests. For PCR you should use them the same day you pick them up and return them to the drop-box by the end of the day. It seems like PCR tests in DC have been taking around 2 days to be returned- though I’ve heard between 1 and 5 days.
• Curative also offers PCR tests and takes appointments.
• If the sites above do not work, many local healthcare providers offer PCR tests, including urgent care- so contact your doctor.
• If you need PCR results quickly (and for a cost) there is Sameday Health again and many travel clinics offer a quick turnaround. However, as a warning, I needed one for international travel from a travel clinic, and results guaranteed in a few hours came with a price.

I hope this is helpful. If you think you’ve been exposed, you should test a few days after exposure (around 5) and not the day you’re exposed. You should also test at any point if you’re symptomatic. I don’t work for DC Public Health or any of the organizations above, just in COVID response more broadly so this is just information that I’ve collected. Also, who knows how this guidance will change under Omicron. Hopefully, we’ll have this soon.”