05/18/2021: Lab Advisory: CDC Updates Interim Guidance for Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2

CDC's Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS)

Audience: Individuals Performing COVID-19 Testing

Level: Laboratory Advisory:

On May 13, 2021, CDC updated the Interim Guidance for Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 web page. Refer to this guidance for more detailed updates:

  • Updated guidance based on new published studies on antigen test performance.
  • Clarification about which nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) should be used for confirmatory testing.
  • Considerations for people who have had previous COVID-19 infections and people who have been fully vaccinated.
  • Two new antigen testing algorithms, one for congregate living settings, and one for community settings.
  • Updates to testing suggestions for fully vaccinated, asymptomatic people.

Online Resources:

If you have any questions, please contact us at LOCS@cdc.gov.

Thank you,

Laboratory Outreach Communication System | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)

Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

LOCS@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/locs