To increase the chance that the negative result for COVID-19 is accurate, you should:
- Test again in 48 hours if you have symptoms on the first day of testing.
- Test 2 more times at least 48 hours apart if you do not have symptoms on the first day of testing.
A negative test result indicates that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not detected in your sample. A negative result is presumptive, meaning it is not certain that you do not have COVID-19. You may still have COVID-19 and you may still be contagious. There is a higher chance of false negative results with antigen tests compared to laboratory-based tests, such as PCR. If you test negative and continue to experience COVID-19 like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath) you should seek follow up care with your healthcare provider.
