In 2022, at-home antigen COVID-19 test results are accepted for symptomatic individuals
Per New York State Department Of Health (NYSDOH): Thus far during the 2021-2022 school year, NAAT tests were required to permit individuals to return to school after being excluded due to developing COVID-like symptoms. Understanding that the turnaround time for some laboratory-based NAATs has resulted in multiple-day exclusions from school for people with symptoms, NYSDOH has amended its guidance to allow all such persons (i.e., those who develop COVID-19 symptoms and currently are not in a quarantine authorized by the department of health) to participate in school activities following a negative NAAT or antigen test result, regardless of vaccination status. Albany County Department Of Health (ACDOH) will permit at-home antigen tests that are used in accordance with package instructions for this purpose.
Email photo documentation
- For positive results, ACDOH requires photo documentation via email of the at-home test kit box and positive result for an individual to be counted as a case.
- Both positive and negative results should be sent to the school nurse: photo documentation is required. ACDOH does not need a copy of negative test results.
ACDOH is in the process of creating a portal for the reporting of at-home test kits. If a test comes back positive prior to the creation of the portal, individuals can do the following:
- Email ACDOH at covid19tracing@albanycountyny.gov.
- Include the individual’s name and contact information. (A representative from ACDOH will contact you.)
- Notify the school district.
In addition to a negative NAAT or antigen test, symptomatic individuals must:
- be well enough to participate in school,
- not have rhinorrhea (runny nose) or cough severe enough to make mask wear difficult or unhygienic,
- be fever-free for 24 hours without use of fever-reducing medication.