Here’s where to get an at-home COVID-19 test in Sacramento — and how to use it

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention is encouraging at-home COVID-19 tests to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the omicron variant makes its rounds across the country.

At-home tests or over-the-counter tests are available at several national retail stores including Target, CVS, Walgreens and Amazon.

With California reinforcing its statewide mask mandate and talks of a winter COVID-19 surge, here’s what you need to know about where to get an at-home test in the Sacramento area, how to take the test, what your results mean and what to do in case of a test error, according to the CDC.

Check availability at your local store before ordering or going in. Tests may sell out at Sacramento pharmacies.

Where to get an at-home COVID test

Target

Ellume COVID-19 Home Test - $26.10

Access Bio COVID-Rapid Test - $15.79

CVS

BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Test - $23.99

Ellume COVID-19 Home Test - $38.99

Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test - $9.99

Pixel by Labcorp COVID-19 PCR Test Home Collection Kit - $124.99

QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kits - $23.99

Instacart

FlowFlex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test - $9.99

Walgreens

BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Test - $23.99

On/go COVID-19 Antigen Self Test - $23.99

QuickVue Rapid At-Home COVID-19 Antigen Test Kit - $23.99

Inteli Swab COVID-19 Rapid Home Test - $23.99

Amazon

QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test Kit (pack of 45) - $1,079.55

Visit the U.S Food and Drug Administration for a list of emergency use authorization at-home COVID-19 tests.

Rite Aid

Ellume COVID-19 Home Test - $38.99

Taking an at-home COVID-19 test

Check the instructions first on the box for your test.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, open the box and follow the instructions for collecting your own nasal or saliva specimen.

After you have the results, discard the specimen collection swab or tube and test in the trash, clean all surfaces that the specimen may have touched and wash your hands.

Remember, if you don’t do it correctly — your test results may be wrong.

Here are a few tips for a successful test, according to the CDC:

• Clean the surface where you will do the test.
• Do not open test devices or other test components until you are ready to start the testing process.
• Have a timer ready because you may need to time several of the test steps.
• Read test results only within the amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A result read before or after the specified time frame may be incorrect.
• Don’t reuse test devices or other components.

You just tested negative

A negative test result means the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample and you may have a lower risk of transmitting the disease to others, according to the CDC.

If you took the test while you had symptoms and followed all instructions carefully, a negative result means your current illness is probably not COVID-19, though it does not rule out a COVID-19 infection.

Or you may have a false negative. You could test negative if the sample was collected too early in your infection. In this case, you could test positive later.

You just tested positive

If you tested positive you should stay home or isolate for 10 days. Also, make sure to tell your healthcare provider about your positive test result and stay in contact with them.

Be sure to tell those you’ve been in contact with about your positive test.

If your illness becomes severe, seek medical attention. If you have any trouble breathing, seek emergency medical care immediately.

If you think your positive test result may be incorrect, contact a healthcare provider to determine whether or not additional testing is necessary.

If your results show an error

Invalid test results are rare but can occur and can happen for many reasons. Your sample may not have been collected correctly or the test may have malfunctioned.

If this happens, refer to the instructions for use in the package insert and contact the manufacturer for assistance.

This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 1:42 PM.