Students, teachers and staff in all K-12 schools will be provided with COVID-19 rapid self-test kits to use at home. These test kits are being delivered to schools throughout the province. This testing program is another way to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
The process for getting your tests will be specific to each school, so keep an eye out for an email from your administrator through PowerSchool or by email.
When you receive the tests, keep them in a safe place and out of reach from children and pets.
How to use your tests
- You should use rapid self-tests if you start having symptoms.
- You can hold your remaining tests for future use, including if you are identified as a close contact, or you can use them if you see an invalid result (see instructions).
- You should not complete rapid tests if you had a COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days. Reinfection is unlikely in the three months following a COVID-19 infection. If you have symptoms, isolate until you do not have a fever AND your symptoms improved in the last 24 hours.
You may share your rapid tests with others who require testing if you have extra kits available at home (for example, friends and family members).
When to use your tests
Symptomatic testing
If you start having symptoms of COVID-19, do not go to school. Test yourself on the first day you are having symptoms:
- If that test is negative, complete a second test 72 hours later;
- If you see a positive result, do not complete any more tests. Follow the Guidance for Positive Cases. You can report your positive test result by completing the online COVID-19 Assessment and Test Reporting Tool;
- If the tests are negative AND you do not have a fever AND your symptoms improved in the last 24 hours, you can return to school;
- If the tests are negative AND you still have a fever or your symptoms remain, please stay home until 24 hours after your fever is gone AND your symptoms improve.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a rapid COVID-19 self-test?
A rapid COVID-19 self-test can detect COVID-19 in about 10-15 minutes. This test can be used at home to detect COVID-19. If you test positive on a rapid test, you have COVID-19. Please review the guidance for positive cases for more information.
2.Is participation in the rapid COVID-19 self-testing program mandatory?
While participation in this program is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged by public health officials.
3. My child is fully vaccinated, should they still participate in this program?
Participation in the rapid COVID-19 self-testing program is strongly encouraged.
4. How do I use a rapid COVID-19 self-testing kit?
Instructions will be provided in the kit you are given. The test is easy to use and only a shallow nasal swab (inserting 2cm) is required to collect the sample. Results can be available in as little as 10-15 minutes.
5. When should I test my child using a rapid COVID-19 self-test?
The tests can be used if your child has mild symptoms (e.g. a runny nose).
6. When is it not appropriate to use a rapid COVID-19 test?
- If your child is experiencing more severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should seek medical care immediately.
- If your child does not have any symptoms. If you are unsure if your child needs a PCR test, use the online COVID Assessment and Referral App or call 1-833-951-3859.
- If your child had COVID-19, refer to question #23 below.
7. My child was recently vaccinated for COVID-19 and is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should I use a rapid COVID-19 self-test?
You may experience symptoms after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no need to use a rapid COVID-19 self-test unless symptoms persist longer than two days.
8. Can I use the rapid COVID-19 self-tests on the adults in my household?
Yes. You may share your rapid tests with others who require testing if you have extra kits available at home (for example, friends and family members). If you are unsure of your testing requirements, please complete the online COVID-19 Assessment and Test Reporting Tool for direction.
9. Can I test my child with the rapid COVID-19 self-test if they don’t have symptoms?
The rapid self-tests are intended to be used in school-aged children with mild symptoms. If your child is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 but does not have any symptoms, review the Close Contacts Flowchart for guidance.
10. Can I use the rapid COVID-19 self-tests on my child who is under two years old?
The rapid self-test kits have not been approved for use in children under two years of age. Symptomatic children in this age group can book a PCR test using the online COVID Assessment and Referral App or by contacting 1-833-951-3859.
11. What happens if my child’s test is negative?
If your child has had two negative tests taken 72 hours apart and their symptoms have improved with no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medication such as Tylenol, Tempra, Advil, or Motrin), they can return to school. A single negative test result is not completely reliable. This is why the rapid self-testing program requires you to do more than one test.
12. Why does my child need to complete more than one rapid COVID-19 self-test before they can return to school?
A single negative test result is not completely reliable. Performing multiple tests increases the chance that an individual will be tested when their viral loads are highest.
13. My child does not have symptoms of COVID-19 but tested positive on a rapid self-test, what should I do?
Your child has COVID-19. You do not need to book a PCR test. Do not complete any more rapid tests. Please review the guidance for positive cases for advice on self-isolation and contact notification.
14. My child has tested negative using a rapid COVID-19 self test but then had a positive PCR test, what now?
Your child has COVID-19. Do not complete any additional testing. Please review the guidance for positive cases for advice on self-isolation and contact notification.
15. My child is a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19, can they be tested with a rapid COVID-19 self-test?
Rapid tests may be used if you are a close contact requiring testing. Please review the Close Contacts Flowchart for specific guidance regarding testing and isolation.
16. My child has tested positive twice using a rapid COVID-19 self-test but then had a negative third rapid COVID-19 self-test?
Your child has COVID-19. Do not complete any additional testing. Please review the guidance for positive cases for advice on self-isolation and contact notification.
17. What happens if my child’s test is positive?
A positive rapid self-test result means your child has COVID-19 and must self-isolate. You do not need to report this to your child’s school. Your child should not be re-tested with another rapid COVID-19 self-test and you should not book a PCR test. Please review the guidance for positive cases for advice on self-isolation and contact notification.
18. Where can I get more rapid self-tests?
You will get more rapid self-tests through your school.
19. How do I safely dispose of my used rapid COVID-19 self-test?
You can safely dispose used tests in your household garbage.
20. If my child is symptomatic and I do not have any rapid COVID-19 self-test kits at home, can I book a PCR testing appointment?
If your child is symptomatic and you do not have access to a rapid self-test, please complete the COVID Assessment and Referral Form or call 1-833-951-3859 to determine if you need lab-based testing.
21. My child’s rapid COVID-19 self-tests are negative but they have symptoms of COVID-19, what should I do?
If your child has had two negative tests taken 72 hours apart and their symptoms have improved with no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medication such as Tylenol, Tempra, Advil, or Motrin), they can return to school. If they still have a fever or their symptoms remain, they should stay at home until 24 hours after their fever is gone AND their symptoms improve.
22. If I see pink shading on the strip bordering the black label, is this a positive result? (Quickvue tests only)
Only a pink line about half of a centimeter below the blue control line should be considered a positive result. A pink line bordering the black label with the arrows, a vertical pink line, or a faint grey line next to the blue control line is not considered a positive test line and should not be called a positive result.
23. Should my child get tested for COVID-19 after they have recovered?
You should not complete rapid tests if you had a COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days. Reinfection is unlikely in the three months following a COVID-19 infection.
If your child starts having symptoms, do not complete any tests. They should self-isolate until they do not have a fever AND their symptoms have improved over the last 24 hours. If you are identified as a close contact during this period, see question 24 for advice.
24. My child had a COVID-19 infection and now they are a close contact of an individual who has COVID-19, what should they do?
If your child is identified as a close contact within 3 months of their infection, instructions depend on whether your child has symptoms:
- If your child has symptoms, they should self-isolate until they do not have a fever AND their symptoms have improved over the last 24 hours.
- If your child does not have symptoms, they do not need to self-isolate.
25. I tested positive on a rapid self-test and negative on a PCR test. What should I do?
During the Omicron surge, if you have a positive rapid self-test result, you are considered a case and you should only book PCR test if you tested positive on a rapid self-test that you completed as part of an asymptomatic workplace rapid self-testing program through Public Health. Please follow the directions for the School Rapid Testing Program. However, if you received one positive rapid test result followed by a negative PCR test result, please follow the directions based on your situation:
- If you have symptoms and you are not a close contact of a case: Stay at home until symptoms have improved for 24 hours and you have no fever.
- If you do not have symptoms and you are a close contact: Continue to self-isolate based on your situation. View the Close Contacts Flowchart for instructions.
- If you do not have symptoms and you are not a close contact of a case: There is a lower risk that you have COVID-19. You can return to daily activities and do not need to self-isolate, but you must follow public health measures and watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 days. If you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, you must self-isolate and book a PCR test.