Source: Ohio Department of Health
Ohio is deploying Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 antigen tests provided by the federal government to colleges and universities to help them implement proactive screening testing. These tests will also be sent to nursing homes for both routine and outbreak testing requirements.
Lab-based PCR tests are still considered the “gold standard” test for clinical diagnostic detection of SARS-CoV-2; it may be necessary to confirm a rapid antigen test result with a nucleic acid test, especially if the result of the antigen test is inconsistent with the clinical context. However, the opportunity to test more broadly and more often is an important step forward in combatting the spread of COVID-19, even with the lower sensitivity and specificity of antigen tests.
View the general guidance for rapid antigen testing for SARS-CoV-2.