COVID is still circulating in our community and in our schools. It is important to keep your child home from school if they are ill, regardless of the source of the illness.

Each family will have received a box of rapid tests from the school, and more tests can also be picked up at your local pharmacy.

The BCCDC advises that it can take 3 to 7 days after infection for there to be enough antigens to be detected by the test. If a person with COVID-19 tests too early after they become infected, the test result can show as negative; this is called a false negative.

Rapid antigen tests are less sensitive than PCR tests. This means that the chances of a false-negative test are higher with rapid antigen tests than PCR tests. The sensitivity of rapid antigen tests is higher for people with symptoms than for people without symptoms. 

For this reason, public health recommends using rapid antigen tests for people with COVID-19 symptoms only. Seek medical care if you feel you need it, regardless of whether you test positive or negative.

• Negative result
     If your result is negative, it means COVID-19 was not detected. It is still possible that you have COVID-19
     Self-isolate until your symptoms improve and you feel well enough to return to regular activities.
• Positive result
     If your result is positive, it means COVID-19 was detected. You likely have COVID-19 and you could pass it on to others. 
     If you are fully vaccinated or under 18 years of age: Self-isolate for at least 5 days from the first day you had symptoms. 
     If you are not fully vaccinated and 18 years of age or older: Self-isolate for at least 10 days from the first day you had symptoms.

For more information, please visit http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/rapid-antigen-testing/rapid-testing-at-home