Covid-19 Updates
Antigen Testing
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
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
Testing Location |
Test Available |
Minimum Order |
---|---|---|
At-Home | ACON Flow Flex | 300 |
In-Office | ACON Flow Flex | 300 |
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.
DESE Related COVID-19 Information
DESE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
The Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Health and Senior Services have updated the state’s Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools to Support Safe In-Person Learning.
The document contains information about:
- CDC’s Operational Guidance, which shares best practice recommendations to prevent and mitigate COVID-19
- CDC’s COVID-19 Community Levels that help communities and individuals make decisions on what COVID-19 prevention strategies to use based on their community’s classification
- Missouri’s COVID-19 Antigen Testing Program that continues to be available to any school interested