The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is distributing 500,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen tests that include a telehealth visit for use within the next three months (through mid-February 2022). Licensed child care providers ‒ including family child care homes, child care centers, preschools, and school-age child care ‒ can again receive free COVID-19 tests. This one-time distribution of Abbott BinaxNow At-Home (with telehealth proctor) tests is part of the ongoing effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
For updated COVID-19 Guidance for Child Care, click HERE.
Your organization has been identified as an eligible organization to order these tests from CDPHE, free of charge. You are able to use these tests at your discretion. Some recommended uses include:
- Keep a supply of the rapid tests on-hand at your organization for when a member of your organization presents with symptoms or for when your alternative testing solutions are potentially disrupted given winter weather or holiday breaks.
- Provide each student or staff with a box (or boxes) of six tests and encourage them to test every five days to easily implement regular testing among your organization.
- If you were to have an outbreak, distribute tests to all those who are exposed or everyone in your organization to identify additional cases and have them isolate to decrease further spread.
- With the upcoming holiday season, distribute a box of six tests to every member of your organization and encourage testing upon return to your organization after holiday break.
About the tests: These free, Abbott BinaxNow At-Home (with telehealth proctor) tests provide reliable results within 20 minutes. Each test kit comes with six (6) individual tests to enable ongoing screening. Individuals will be able to self-test with the assistance of a telehealth proctor every five days to monitor the potential contraction of COVID-19. Tests are used by accessing a telehealth proctor to receive guided instruction by a trained representative. The telehealth proctor will share verified test results with the individual through an app and report the results directly back to the state. These tests are different from the self-administered over-the-counter Binax tests.
Order tests for your organization: Eligible entities are encouraged to place a one-time order as soon as possible. Order the quantity of tests your organization anticipates needing over a three (3) month period. CLICK HERE TO ORDER. Orders will be processed and shipped beginning Monday, November 29. Interested child care facilities should only submit one response per organization. Thank you for joining us to help fight the spread of COVID-19 in Colorado.
Additional Resources: Order Form | Frequently Asked Questions | How it Works! | A Step-by-Step Guide to the Navica App | Emergency Use Authorization | Expiration Date Extension Letter