You tested COVID positive at home in California. What do you have to do next?

As the omicron COVID-19 variant takes hold of California, many have turned to over-the-counter testing kits to avoid long lines at centers and other high-cost rapid tests.

The state has sent these at-home rapid tests to local school districts. States across the country are providing free kits to residents who ask.

But how are the results being reported as counties track the virus’ latest surge? If you test positive, what do you do with your result? Here’s what we know:

Does my home positive test result count?

Yes.

Well, sort of.

You should treat your positive over-the-counter results as you would a PCR test: Isolate and monitor your symptoms.

Jamie White, Sacramento County’s COVID-19 response deputy incident commander, told The Bee there’s no clinical need to get a PCR confirmation if you test positive at home.

You are not required to report your over-the-counter test done in a non-supervised setting, according to the California Department of Public Health. Positive unobserved antigen home tests that are self reported are counted as suspected positives and won’t appear on the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

COVID reporting is mandated for health care providers and laboratories that oversee in person testing — whether results are positive or negative. Self-test kits used at schools also need to be reported if administered by another person other than the child’s guardian. A waiver is required.

The state health department also said some apps might report results for you, so follow the instructions on your at-home testing kit.

According to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, some home tests will report results to the state or locally if done via online video proctoring. These use an app or a website to observe the home test and then report the result electronically to the state reporting system (CalREDIE). Otherwise, they typically go unreported.

The CDPH and the Centers for Disease Control recommend you share your positive results with a health care provider.

If you want to report your COVID-19 test to the state, visit the California community based at-home testing site. Use the electronic platform to report your positive or negative at-home COVID-19 test to your local health department.

Some counties, including El Dorado, Yolo, Marin and San Luis Obispo, allow self reporting of test results.

In guidance to local health departments, the CDPH tells officials non-supervised tests that are reported should be “sequestered and not used for case counting” as they are not considered presumptive or confirmed.

What if I want to confirm my results?

Some worry about the accuracy of the tests. While highly trusted and a good indicator in symptomatic individuals, antigen swaps are less reliable than PCR tests.

According to the CDC, you may want to back up your over-the-counter antigen test with a PCR test as soon as possible — but no longer than 48 hours after the initial antigen testing.

If more than 48 hours separate the two tests or if you have possibly been exposed again, a PCR test should be considered a separate test – not a confirmation of the earlier antigen test.

If the results differ between the antigen test and the confirmatory PCR test, go with the PCR results.

“It’s an option to go find a PCR test and people can certainly do that if it gives them peace of mind — or if they are, for some reason wanting to be counted in our county case counts,” said White, with Sacramento County.

How are counties doing self reports?

Yolo County residents, for example, can call 833-965-6268 to report a COVID-19 test result that is then uploaded to the county’s daily COVID-19 dashboard.

John Fout, Yolo County’s public information officer, said the county has already started to supply at-home antigen tests to its residents that include contact information to report the results to the county.

Fout said the county will soon launch a site similar to Marin County’s, where residents can report positive over-the-counter tests with an electronic form available in English and Spanish.

But with several ways to report an at-home COVID-19 test, Fout said he urges residents to not report their at-home test results to the county if they’ve already reported it somewhere else.

“The goal is to have all tests reported but avoid double counting,” Fout said.

COVID cases on the rise

California’s positivity rate was 21.3% as of Jan. 5, according to the state COVID-19 dashboard.

As of Wednesday, California confirmed a total of more than 5.4 million COVID-19 cases and roughly 76,000 deaths since the pandemic began— 51,743 of those were new cases and there were 130 new deaths.

The state currently has a daily average of more than 28,600 cases and 45 deaths.

How do at-home tests work?

Here’s how to take an at-home COVID-19 test and a few tips for a successful test, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Check the instructions first on the box for your test.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Then, open the box and follow the instructions for collecting your own nasal or saliva specimen.

After you have the results, discard the specimen collection swab or tube and test in the trash, clean all surfaces that the specimen may have touched and wash your hands.

Remember, if you don’t do it correctly — your test results may be wrong.

Clean the surface where you will do the test.

Do not open test devices or other test components until you are ready to start the testing process.

Have a timer ready because you may need to time several of the test steps.

Read test results only within the amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. A result read before or after the specified time frame may be incorrect.

Don’t reuse test devices or other components.

How to anonymously share a positive result

Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting two days before the person has any symptoms or tests positive, according to the CDC.

But if you want to remain anonymous, visit www.tellyourcontacts.org to send an email or text to your close contacts.

How to get notified of COVID-19 exposure in California

Electronic application CA Notify is a free service that allows you to find out if you were exposed to COVID-19. You can also notify others if you test positive while remaining anonymous.

HOW IT WORKS

Once downloaded on a mobile device, keep your Bluetooth on. You will only receive alerts if you were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the site, your privacy is protected. CA Notify doesn’t gather your name, contact information, the specific location and the identity of the people you meet.

For more information, visit the CA Notify website.

This story was originally published January 5, 2022 at 1:13 PM with the headline "You tested COVID positive at home in California. What do you have to do next?."