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1. WHO SHOULD GET TESTED?

Vaccinated or not, individuals who:

• have COVID-19 symptoms;
  • Testing should occur immediately

• had close contact with someone with COVID-19:
  1. If you are unvaccinated or not up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, quarantine for at least 5 days and wear a mask around others in your home
  2. testing should occur 5 days after the last exposure, or immediately if symptoms start
  3. the date of the last exposure is considered day 0
  4. day 1 is the first full day after the last contact with a person who has COVID-19

• plan to travel; CDC travel guidance
• plan to attend a gathering, especially indoors with others who are not in your household; this is especially important before gathering with unvaccinated children, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at risk of severe disease.
• work in an organization that requires COVID-19 testing; or
• have been asked or referred by a health department, school, workplace, or healthcare provider to get tested. 

*Note: Rapid, at-home self-tests do not need to be taken on a daily basis (i.e. when running daily errands) unless you are feeling symptoms, directed by your employer, or your daily activities include close contact with people who are not in your household.

2. WHAT DOES A POSITIVE TEST RESULT MEAN?

• A positive test result means that the test detected the virus.
• If you test positive, isolate and inform your healthcare provider and any close contacts. 
• If an at-home self-test was used, report your positive test result to the Maryland Department of Health results portal.
• Stay home for at least 5 days. Wear a well-fitting mask around other people for 10 days and do not travel for 10 days. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period should start over.

3. WHEN CAN I END ISOLATION?

• If you experienced symptoms, end isolation after 5 full days if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and all of your symptoms are improving.
• If you were severely ill with COVID-19, isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
• If you never developed symptoms during your infection, isolation may end at least 5 full days after your positive test.
• Symptoms or not, wear a well-fitting mask around other people for 10 days and do not travel for 10 days. If you develop symptoms after testing positive, your 5-day isolation period should start over.

4. HOW TO USE YOUR RAPID SELF-TEST KIT

Rapid tests produce results 15 minutes after you complete all the steps.

1. Read the instructions before beginning.
2. Follow the steps to complete your test.
3. Self-report your results.
4. If you have questions about the test itself, visit the manufacturer’s website. If you have questions about your test results, contact your health care provider.

iHealth Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Self-Test:

• Written instructions - iHealth (PDF)
• Video instructions - iHealth
• More about iHealth Rapid Antigen COVID-19 Tests - manufacturer website

BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test:

• Written instructions for Binax Rapid Test (PDF)
• More about BinaxNOW Antigen COVID-19 Tests - manufacturer website

To verify the expiration date of your test kits or if the date of your test kit has been extended, check the websites of the some of the major rapid-test manufacturers below:

BinaxNOW

iHealth

CareStart

Flowflex