Home-Based Testing and COVID-19 Isolation Recommendations, United States

Using a nationally representative panel survey, we examined isolation behaviors among persons in the United States who had positive SARS-CoV-2 test results during January 2021–March 2022. Compared with persons who received provider-administered results, persons with home-based results had 29% (95% CI 5%–47%) lower odds of following isolation recommendations.

Self-administered home-based tests are increasingly used as the primary method to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In contrast to tests performed at a public health department, laboratory, or other healthcare setting and administered by a provider, home-based tests require little or no interaction with the healthcare system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends isolation for persons who test positive for SARS-CoV-2; however, it is unclear if test administration type is associated with following isolation recommendations. We used data from a nationally representative survey of persons in the United States with COVID-19 to explore differences in proportions among those who isolated, followed contemporary isolation recommendations, and self-notified contacts by test administration type.