Twenty-eight Missouri public and private colleges and universities are utilizing BinaxNOW antigen COVID-19 tests to help stop the spread of COVID-19 on their campuses.

A news release says 77,240 tests were shipped throughout the months of November and early December. Several institutions began using the tests prior to Thanksgiving, helping students keep their families safe for the holiday.

The antigen tests are rapid response – giving students, faculty and staff an immediate result to kick off their isolation plan. They are also offered at no charge, and are self-administered with a medical professional’s supervision. Some Missouri institutions are using the tests to help students without medical insurance, and to test asymptomatic students.

Institutions like the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg were able to help students know quickly that they were positive for COVID-19 just before heading home for Thanksgiving. UCM began testing students en masse last week before they headed home for the holiday break. The school issued a message to students on December 4 explaining the free tests and the process for receiving one and what would happen depending on the results.

All institutions receiving the tests are required to complete training with the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) before beginning to administer BinaxNOW antigen tests. Institutions are required to submit test results to DHSS within 24 hours of administering the test. Interested institutions that have not already received a shipment of BinaxNOW tests from the state may still be able to request tests. The antigen tests have about a six-month expiration.

Other institutions that have been shipped BinaxNOW tests from the state in the KMMO listening area include Missouri Valley College in Marshall and Central Methodist University in Fayette.