Covid-19 Updates

Missouri Rapid Antigen Test Program

Missouri continues to provide all Missouri K-12 schools with COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to help safely deliver in-person learning.

The antigen testing program provides the ACON Flow Flex rapid antigen test to use for in-school testing by trained personnel or for distribution for use at home. DHSS provides the antigen tests at no-cost to schools.

Use Cases

1. Schools and early childhood education (ECE) programs can promote and offer diagnostic testing for people with symptoms of COVID-19 or who came into close contact with someone with COVID-19. If people who have COVID-19 are identified early and isolate at home, schools and ECE programs can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
2. At high COVID-19 Community Levels, CDC encourages schools and ECE programs to consider implementing screening testing for high risk activities (for example close contact sports, band or choir); at key times in the year (for example, prom, group travel); and when returning from breaks (such as holidays, spring break, at the beginning of the school year).
3. At medium to high COVID-19 Community Levels those serving students who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19, such as those with moderate or severe immunocompromise or complex medical conditions may want to consider screening testing.

Program Information

Items to note:

• Schools can choose to conduct tests in-office by trained personnel and/or for home distribution.
• The minimum number when ordering tests is 300. See the table below for more explanation.
• Tests are shipped from the warehouse on Mondays only at this time.  All orders submitted up to midnight on Sunday will be included in the weekly order.

To receive antigen tests, new users must:

• Complete an application. Rapid Antigen Test Kit Application
• Complete the required training and provide verification of that training.
• Submit a testing plan.

To receive antigen tests, new users must:

• Complete an application. Rapid Antigen Test Kit Application Portal (arcgis.com)
• Complete the required training and provide verification of that training.
• Submit a testing plan.

To receive antigen tests, existing users must:

• Provide any updates to onsite testing locations and testing staff for onsite testing.
• All participating schools can order tests for onsite testing and at-home testing, if desired. If choosing to include an at-home testing option, review/revise your existing testing plan to include the at-home testing option and send the new testing plan to antigentesting@health.mo.gov and cc: Cheryl.Stock@health.mo.gov.

Visit the DHSS Rapid Antigen Test Kit Application and Resource Page for testing resources.

If you have questions about starting a COVID-19 testing program, please contact antigentesting@health.mo.gov and cc: Cheryl.Stock@health.mo.gov. 

At-home Testing

Schools distributing COVID-19 tests for home use may reference DHSS’s At-home COVID Test Distribution Guide.

The Flow Flex Plain Language Instructions will guide the user through the test administration process.