COVID-19 tests were in short supply when the coronavirus pandemic first started. With new cases rising every day and the U.S reporting 100,000 new COVID-19 cases in a day merely a few days ago, it may be difficult to tell who has the virus and who doesn’t.
Now, the United States is struggling a little less with providing testing kits to individuals who need them. Companies like Pixel by Lab Corp and EverlyWell have created At Home COVID-19 Testing Kits.
There are currently two types of testing kits: saliva and swab tests.
According to CNET, “Saliva tests are much less invasive, less uncomfortable and pose less risk for health care providers.”
The FDA has approved saliva tests and urges people to stay safe during the pandemic. Yale researchers have confirmed that saliva tests are just as accurate as the nose swabs.
Swab tests are a little more invasive. These tests require the individual to swab the inside of the nose or cheek to collect samples to detect the COVID-19 virus.
The FDA has also approved of these at-home test kits, supplied by Pixel by LabCorp. According to the LabCorp site, individuals should read all instructions before beginning the swab. Find the instructions here. To qualify for the tests, you must be 18 years of age or older. The site notes the average time to deliver results is currently 24-48 hours from when the sample is received at the lab.
Warning: The swabbing at-home testing kits are only to detect active infection of the virus. As the site posits, “this test does not detect antibodies or immunity.”
Below is a chart of at-home testing kits and from which company they originate along with the price.
| Company | Testing lab or company | Type of Test | Price |
| Pixel by Labcorp | LabCorp | Lower nasal swab | Bills insurance |
| LetsGetChecked | PrivaPath Diagnostics | Lower nasal swab | $119 |
| EverlyWell | EverlyWell | Lower nasal swab | $109 |
| Vault | Vault Health, Spectrum Solutions, RUCDR Infinite Biologics | Saliva sample | $150 |
| Vitagene | Vitagene | Saliva sample | $129 |
| Picture | Fulgent Genetics | Lower nasal swab | $119 |
| Hims and Hers | Rutgers RUCDR Infinite Biologics | Saliva sample | $150 |
| Phosphorus | Phosphorus Diagnostics | Saliva sample | $140 |
Antibody tests are different from the regular swab and saliva tests. They test for past infection of a virus (in this case, COVID-19). Right now, there are no companies that legitimately sell at home antibody tests.
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