State to Receive New Rapid Result COVID Antigen Kits

Washington State will begin receiving a new type of rapid-result COVID-19 antigen test kit from the federal government starting this week.

According to the Department of Health, Abbot BinaxNOW antigen test kits will be delivered in batches, with the first about 149,000 strong. The state anticipates nearly 2.3 million kits between now and December.

The first batch will be distributed to community health centers, tribal clinics, and critical access hospitals serving priority populations. A plan for the distribution of future shipments is in development.

The new kits can return results in as little as 15 minutes, which can help reduce additional transmission and illness.