COVID-19 Antigen Over the Counter (OTC) Home Test Kits
- Free to PCTVS students and staff. Tests are provided from the NJ Dept. of Health at no charge to the district.
- Tests are available in the PCTVS Nurses’ stations to those who need it.
- State-supplied home tests are for use as part of an early warning and/or screening system to detect the presence of COVID-19 and prevent transmission.
- Please follow all test instructions for proper use.
- Individuals are encouraged to stay home and contact a health care provider if ill or experiencing any symptoms.
- Please report positive test results to the school nurse. The district collects and evaluates data to identify and properly address suspected outbreaks. This data is also shared with the NJ Department of Health.
Recommendations for use:
- Antigen self-tests/over the counter (OTC) tests can be used both for: 1) testing symptomatic individuals, 2) testing after exposure to COVID-19.
- Symptomatic persons: take OTC test at home ASAP, a second test should be taken at least 48 hours later to confirm results. If both tests are negative and individual is fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication, they may return to school.
- If an individual continues to experience symptoms after two negative tests, and is concerned they may have COVID-19,an additional test may be administered 48 hours later. In the alternative, a laboratory molecular-based test should be considered.
- Asymptomatic persons with known exposure to COVID-19: wait 5 days before testing, test on day 6, if negative test again 48 hours later. If second test is also negative take a third test 48 hours after the second test (3 tests total).
- Persons who test positive for COVID-19 on a home/self-test should notify their healthcare provider (or LHD if they don’t have a healthcare provider) if they are concerned about their health or have questions on how to protect those around them. Most importantly, positive individuals should immediately isolate away from others, notify close contacts and, if applicable, notify their worksite, school, or daycare so that precautions can be taken. Information on what to do after testing positive is available on the NJDOH COVID-19 website and the COVID-19 Information Hub.
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Note - The shelf life of the tests provided by the NJDOH has been extended to 15 months as per the manufacturer. See official letter by clicking here.