Rapid At Home COVID-19 Test Kits are now available to detect infections early and help stop the spread of COVID-19. These tests are available for employers and members of the community and can be found at participating pharmacies and health service clinics. Rapid tests can be used by people who are aged 14 or over and can be administered to children aged 2-13 by an adult. These rapid test kits may not be valid for Exemption Restriction Programs, so check your provincial health site for current guidelines.
If you are using a take home rapid COVID-19 test kit, follow the directions included in the kit, but below we will take you through the general guidelines to make sure you administer the test most effectively.
How To Properly Use An At Home Rapid Test
Take Home Rapid Antigen Test Kit Comes With:
- Extraction Tube and Tube Stand
- Extraction Buffer fluid
- Swab
- Cassette
How To Do It:
- Tilt your head back at about a 70° angle
- Gently insert the swab into your nostril about ½” and for 5-10 seconds swirl the swab
- After you swirl… compress your nostril by pinching your nose and rotate the swab for another 5-10 seconds
- Take the swab out and insert into your extraction tube that contains extraction buffer fluid
- Tilt the tube so that the entire swab is submerged in solution
- Swirl the swab and mix it well into the solution
- Squeeze the swab 10-15 times by compressing the tube against the swab by pinching
- Place the extraction tube back into the tube stand with the swab still securely inside.
- Let stand for 2 minutes
- Remove the swab while squeezing the tube to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Attach the nozzle to the sample extraction tube and squeeze 3 drops of the extracted solution sample into the sample well of the testing cassette by gently squeezing the tube.
- Set your time and read the results at 15 minutes.
Use the Results Interpretation Key included in your test kit to determine the results of your test.
COVID-19 Testing Across Canada For In Home, In Clinic or Virtual Appointments
Keep yourself, your family, and your community safer with COVID-19 Rapid Testing at home. Ichor Blood Services offers a variety of COVID-19 testing options for travel and the workplace, or that special night out with rapid antigen testing, PCR testing, and antibody testing. Learn more about the testing options available to you here and book your COVID-19 test now. For our Albertan clients we now offer Virtual/ In-Home Rapid Antigen Test Kits with Certificate, a video-witnessed, self-test using Health Canada approved BTNX devices. Never miss an event, recital, or game, again. Find out more here. Locate an Ichor Blood Services testing centre near you.
FAQ
Q: How accurate are at home rapid tests?
A: Home tests can miss some infections especially if the test is done incorrectly or too soon after exposure and there is not enough protein to be detected. You can retest if you have symptoms or book in for a COVID-19 PCR test for a more definitive result.
Q: Can a at home rapid test be done on a child?
A: An adult can administer a test on a child between the ages of 2 and 13, but a child should not perform their own test.
Q: Where can I book the COVID test I need for travel?
A: Ichor Blood Services offers COVID-19 testing and documentation required for travel with COVID-19 PCR and Rapid Antigen Test options. Call 1-844-424-6728 or book your test now.
Contact Us
Contact Us for Private Blood Testing, Physician Requested General Blood Work, Corporate Group Testing for COVID-19 Antibody or COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing, and more!