How to Report Your COVID-19 At-Home Test Results

February 10, 2023

This week, the FDA has updated its step-by-step guide to help Americans report their over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test results.

The initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to better capture the spread of the virus and monitor data in real time. The update comes as COVID-19 remained a concern for many households during the winter holidays, but deaths and severe cases fell below previous years’ peaks.

“While taking a rapid COVID-19 test has become commonplace, test results are not often reported,” the National Institutes of Health noted. “COVID-19 test results provide valuable data that public health departments can use to assess the needs and modify the responses in the local community, the state, or the nation.”

Here’s what you need to know:

• Where to submit:  You can submit your results online. The site only requests general information such as age and home ZIP code.
• About the data:  The data from the federal site is anonymous, but it can help public health agencies and local public health departments understand how quickly the virus is spreading.
• Know your results:  Knowing your COVID-19 status helps keep others around you healthy and can help reduce the spread of the virus.
• Prevalence of at-home tests:  A recent study indicated that the proportion of COVID-19 tests recorded at home increased from 60 percent to more than 80 percent from March 2022 through August 2022.
• Quotable:  “When you report your results, you’re helping build the foundation of a system that is intended to help people across the country live safer, healthier lives,” the FDA noted.

HAP urges everyone to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine status and to get tested if they experience symptoms. Learn more about the FDA’s at-home testing initiative online.