LeadingAge NY Reminds Members of CDC and DOH Guidance on Antigen Testing
Since the conclusion of the Oct. 28th infection control webinar presented by LeadingAge NY ProCare, we have received multiple questions regarding the appropriateness of the use of Abbott BinaxNOW antigen tests in an outbreak situation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued revised Interim Guidance for Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 on Sept. 9th.
The CDC's guidance:
- speaks to the use of antigen tests in congregate living settings and provides guidance on when a viral test (nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT)) should be collected and sent;
- provides an Antigen Testing Algorithm for congregate living settings.
Provided for your reference are some Department of Health (DOH) documents related to molecular and antigen testing. While we have learned much about COVID-19 since these documents were issued, they provide useful training resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about testing and reporting:
- DOH testing algorithm (published October 2020)
- Dear Administrator Letter (DAL)-NH-21-23 (issued Oct. 27, 2021)
- SARS-CoV-2 Point of Care (POC) Antigen Testing FAQs for Health Care Providers (issued May 13, 2021)
- Interim Recommendations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Tests During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (issued Oct. 17, 2020)
- Interim Recommendations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Tests During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (issued Oct. 19, 2020)
Contact: Mark Kepner-Clough, mkepner-clough@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 125