As of April 18, 2023, all eMed-proctored BinaxNOW Antigen At-Home test kits provided by VDH to K-12 schools have expired. Please do not dispose of the test kits down a sewer drain. Unused test kits should be placed in a trash bag and disposed of in the regular trash. 

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.

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
• On February 16th, the K-12 COVID-19 Testing Team held an informational session sharing an update about the type of COVID-19 test kit that will be provided in Spring 2023. The recording and slide deck of the session may be viewed below.
  • VDH K-12 Team Spring Update Webinar Recording
  • VDH K-12 Team Spring Update Webinar Slide Deck

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 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.
• Please refer to the Instructions for Use and Emergency Use Authorization for more information
• For more information on expiration dates please refer to the InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test 9-month to 12-month shelf life extension document
• 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 

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

	BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test	Quidel Quick Vue At-Home OTC Test
Type of Test	Rapid At-home Antigen	Rapid At-home Antigen
Tests Per Box	1 Test	2 Tests
Sample Collection	Anterior nasal (self-collection for 15 years and up)	Anterior nasal (self-collection for 14 years and up)
Result Time	15-30 minutes	10-15 minutes
Virtual Telehealth Proctor	Yes	No
Minimum Age for Testing	2 Years	2 Years
CLIA Waiver	Not needed due to having the telehealth proctor service	Needed if facility performs test on site
Reporting to VDH through POC Portal	Not needed due to having the telehealth proctor service	Needed if facility performs test on site
Reference Materials	Emergency Use Agreement Instructions for Use	Emergency Use Agreement Instructions for Use

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)?