How to take a COVID-19 rapid test at home

Extended: How to do a rapid COVID test CTV's Stephanie Thomas does a rapid test live and gets the results by the end of the newscast. Stephanie Thomas reports

Starting Friday, Albertans will be able to pick up free rapid test kits at select locations on a first-come first-served basis while supplies last. But how does the process work?

The kits are limited to one box per person every two weeks. Each box comes with detailed instructions and five test kits in total.

"The maximum benefit is to use two kits within a week, 72 hours apart," said Amandi Chehad, pharmacist at the Aspen Landing Shoppers Drug Mart.

"If it tests positive then they have to confirm it by going to Alberta Health Services or calling them to book a PCR test. If they have symptoms and it tests negative they still need to go and do the PCR test."

Rapid COVID-19 test kits aren't done exactly the same way as tests administered by Alberta Health Services.

To help Albertans understand what to expect if they pick up a kit, we've outlined below what you'll find in each test kit and how to do your test.

PLEASE NOTE: This article is not meant to replace the detailed instructions provided with the test kit, which should be followed explicitly for accurate COVID-19 test results.

EACH RAPID RESPONSE COVID-19 ANTIGEN TEST KIT CONTAINS

A clock, timer or stopwatch is required for the test but not provided in the kit.

HOW TO COLLECT YOUR SAMPLE

Testing materials should be at room temperature before use.

HOW TO PROCESS YOUR SAMPLE

HOW TO READ THE RESULTS

A positive result is indicated by the presence of two lines – one in the control area (marked 'C') and one in the test region (marked 'T'), even if faint.

A negative result is indicated by the presence of one line in the control area of the test, and no line in the test region.

An invalid test will show either no lines at all, or a single line in the test area but none in the control area.

For more information on rapid test kits you can visit the Government of Alberta's website.