At-home rapid antigen tests are becoming more widely available through state and federal programs.
A positive at-home rapid test is helpful in identifying COVID-19 in people experiencing symptoms. Negative results can provide extra reassurance to asymptomatic people, but are less helpful with individuals experiencing symptoms.
During periods of high transmission — like now — rapid tests can return false negative results up to 20% of the time in people with symptoms who actually do have COVID-19. For this reason, if you have symptoms, a negative rapid antigen test cannot assure that you do not have COVID-19.
If you have symptoms, please contact the COVID-19 Exposure/Illness Hotline at 314-362-5056 for guidance on testing.