VDH offers rapid antigen testing of those with COVID-19 symptoms or a known exposure, to find out quickly if they have COVID-19 or not.

• Schools can request at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits to distribute to students, teachers, and staff. The tests use a nasal swab and provide a result in 15 minutes.
• The test kits can be used whether or not someone is vaccinated against COVID-19.  Schools can request test kits even if they are not participating in ViSSTA screening testing.
• Schools may choose to 1) send the test kits home with families to conduct testing at home, or 2) conduct testing on site if they have the resources to do so.

VDH currently supplies eMed-proctored BinaxNOW Antigen At-Home test kits to K-12 Schools. These test kits: 

• Contain 1 test per kit
• Require use of the eMed telehealth proctor
• Require an internet connection and a forward facing camera
• Results may be read in 15 minutes
• An adult will need to collect the sample for testers aged 2-15. Testers aged 15 and older may self-collect.
• Do not require use of a CLIA waiver to perform testing on-site
• Test results are reported directly to VDH
• Please check the lot number and original expiration date on the test kit you received and reference this document from the FDA that lists the new expiration dates: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test - Shelf Life Extension

Beginning at the end of March 2023, VDH will begin to distribute Quidel Quickvue At-Home OTC COVID-19 test kits to our K-12 school partners. Please review the Emergency Use Agreement and Instructions for Use prior to receiving the test kits. These test kits:

• Contain 2 tests per kit
• Do not require the use of a telehealth proctor
• Results may be read in 10-15 minutes
• An adult will need to collect the sample for testers aged 2-14. Testers aged 14 and older may self-collect
• Requires the use of a CLIA Certificate of Waiver if testing on site
• Results will need to be reported to VDH through the POC portal if testing is done on site
• Please check the lot number and original expiration date on the test kit you received and reference this document from the FDA that lists the new expiration dates: Quidel QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test - Shelf Life Extension

To request test kits for your K-12 schools, contact your K-12 Coordinator or email testinginfo@vdh.virginia.gov. School divisions and schools that receive test kits from VDH are responsible for reporting on the number of tests distributed to the VDH team weekly through a REDCap survey. 

The Virginia School Screening Testing for Assurance (ViSSTA) program offers PCR screening testing for those without COVID-19 symptoms or a known exposure, to help stop the spread before people become sick. ViSSTA provides vendors, supplies, and staffing for an end-to-end COVID-19 testing experience. Vendors take care of collecting samples, sending them to the lab, and communicating the test results.

Routine Testing

Schools can request routine (such as weekly) testing for special groups of students, like sports teams, or for all students, staff, and/or teachers who want to participate.

Special Event Testing

Schools can request testing events for special events, large gatherings, or after a holiday, such as after summer break or before graduation.

Any reimbursement must be codified into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between your school and VDH. VDH CANNOT reimburse any expenses outside of a signed MOU.  With a signed MOU, K-12 public schools in Virginia may receive reimbursement for:  

• School-based staff to support planning and implementation of testing programs.
• Technology and supplies: funding for supplies utilized to implement the testing program, including technology resources and infrastructure.
• Portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan(s) or filtration system(s) or other small items that allow for improved air circulation, including replacement filters.
• Costs associated with minor or major construction are not allowable for reimbursement under CDC grant guidance.

• Contains 1 test per kit
• Requires use of the eMed telehealth proctor
• Require an internet connection and a forward facing camera
• Results may be read in 15 minutes
• An adult will need to collect the sample for testers aged 2-15. Testers aged 15 and older may self-collect.
• Does not require use of a CLIA waiver to perform testing on-site
• Test results are reported directly to VDH
• VDH Informational Session on eMed BinaxNOW At Home Tests
  • Slide Deck

• Contains 2 tests per kit
• An over the counter (OTC) test that does not use a telehealth proctor
• Results may be read in 30 minutes.
• An adult will need to collect the sample for testers aged 2-18. Testers aged 18 years and older may self-collect.
• Child care facilities will need to obtain a CLIA waiver in order to perform testing on-site with OraSure InteliSwab Kits. Facilities distributing test kits for at-home use do not need a CLIA Waiver.
  • How to obtain a CLIA Waiver:Document on how to obtain a certificate of waiver
  • CMS quick start guide to help complete the form
  • Submit form CMS-116 to: Virginia Department of Health Office of Licensure and Certification 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 401, Richmond, Virginia 23233

VDH recommends sending test kits home with parents/guardians for at home testing. However, schools and child care facilities may choose to test onsite if they have the resources to do so. Sample Consent forms for teachers, staff, and students for on site testing can be found here.

• Sample Parent/Guardian Consent Form 
• Sample Teacher/Staff Consent Form 

• VDH Guide for eMed-Proctored Test Kits [Spanish]
• VDH/VDOE Parent Guide for at-home use of eMed proctored BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits [Spanish]
• VDH informational session on eMed-proctored BinaxNOW At-Home Tests

• COVID-19 Antigen Tests Results and Next Steps
• What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?

The eMed proctor service provides on-demand telehealth sessions available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with a Certified Guide to proctor the testing process. Schools and child care facilities do not need to have a prescriber or CLIA waiver to conduct these tests. However, the eMed proctoring service must be used.

The proctor is the online eMed Certified Guide, who has received a rigorous training and testing certification in the testing process, the terminology, testing administration, and the flow of the Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Home Test.

Test results are available approximately 15 minutes after completion of the test.

After the test taker completes their test with the online proctor, eMed will report positive test results to the Virginia Department of Health. Individuals should report positive results to their school leadership so that follow up actions can be taken.

An individual who tests positive should isolate themselves immediately and follow VDH Guidance on COVID-19 Antigen Tests Results and Next Steps and What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?

In addition, eMed has a Spanish translated website available here. Navica’s website is also available in Spanish. VDH has created a guide in Spanish to assist child care facilities with the testing process. eMed Certified Guides are available in Spanish and English. The "create an account" option on the Navica website is available in Spanish. There is a toggle on the top near the toolbar to switch between English and Spanish: https://www.mynavica.abbott/.

If you have questions about the eMed testing process please email customersupport@emed.com or call 1-833-369-1079 (available weekdays) or 1-866-369-1079 (available 24/7)

Schools and child care facilities may distribute test kits to students, staff, and parents to have on hand if they need to consider testing at home, such as if they: have signs/symptoms of COVID-19; are exposed to an individual with COVID-19.; are returning to school after vacation periods; before or after attending a large school gathering. The test kits may be distributed to members of the school community for use at home or can be administered at school per school policy.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should not attend the school or child care program and should report positive results to their school or child care facility immediately. For more information, please see VDH COVID-19 Guidance for K-12 Schools, Child Care, and Day Camps,  VDH Guidance on COVID-19 Antigen Tests Results and Next Steps, and What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?