Q: Should we be reporting our at-home results?
Yes, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) encourages everyone who tests positive using an “at-home” test to report those results.
At-home COVID-19 tests, also called “self-tests”, detect current infection. They do not detect antibodies which would suggest a previous infection.
Hawaii DOH uses the Aloha Safe Alert App for COVID-19 exposure notifications. Once the Aloha Safe Alert App is activated on your phone, when the app senses a close contact, your device and the close contact’s device will exchange a secure, random, anonymous code.
When you report a positive test result in the app, the system sends alerts to anyone that your device has exchanged codes with. Rest assured that these are anonymous. Your name, location or all other identifiable information is never shared.
You will receive an exposure notification if you were near someone (someone’s device) while they were infectious, within 6 feet or less, for a minimum cumulative total of 15 minutes.
Why is it important to report your self-test results? It is important because the sooner you know you may have been exposed, the sooner you can take the steps needed to get tested yourself, and quarantine if needed. This helps minimize potential spread. It also helps you notify people you may not even know. You should, of course, notify your friends and family if you were near them while infectious, but the Aloha Safe App helps notify people you may have stood in line with at the grocery store, or other close and prolonged contacts.
It is also a good idea to let your doctor know if you’ve tested positive. They may recommend additional steps if you are vulnerable to severe illness.
To report a positive home test, please visit the AlohaSafe Alert website at www.alohasafealert.org. You can also find this information on the state’s official COVID-19 website at www.hawaiicovid19.com.