SHIELD Illinois is assisting IDPH in facilitating the distribution and use of BinaxNOW in select situations by means of providing certain operational and logistical support. The Abbott BinaxNOW test is a fast-acting antigen test granted an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral protein. The BinaxNOW test is administered through an anterior nares swab that is then inserted into a credit-card-sized test, where a reagent is added. These tests are inexpensive, point-of-care (POC) tests, with results available within 15 minutes. BinaxNOW is separate, distinct, and unrelated to the covidSHIELD PCR saliva test deployed by the SHIELD Deployment Unit of the University of Illinois System ("SHIELD Illinois").
To facilitate antigen testing, SHIELD Illinois must submit the name and address of each location where antigen testing will occur to IDPH for inclusion on the existing CLIA waiver for antigen testing held by SHIELD Illinois. The person at each location who administers the antigen test must be “appropriately trained in performing and interpreting the results.” In addition, all positive and negative results must be immediately entered into the Point and Click system for mandatory reporting to IDPH and the local health department. It is the responsibility of the agency administering the test (e.g. school, district, et cetera) to ensure that only individuals who are “appropriately trained in performing and interpreting the results” administer the test and that the results of both positive and negative tests are promptly reported. For more information on antigen testing and the aforementioned requirements visit:
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/LHD-binaxNow-allocation
What does exactly SHIELD Illinois provide?
How to get started
SHIELD Illinois only offers BINAX testing for K-12 public schools which are already participating in the SHIELD Illinois covidSHIELD saliva testing program. If you have not completed the post-orientation questionnaire SHIELD Illinois covidSHIELD saliva testing program, you could (and should) request BINAX testing during your onboarding process. If you are already testing with SHIELD Illinois but did not have the opportunity to request BINAX rapid antigen testing, you can request it
here. If you are not currently participating or signed up to participate, in the SHIELD Illinois covidSHIELD saliva testing program, you will not receive a response.
What to expect
You will be provided with a link to asynchronous online training to prepare you for testing. Once training is completed, SHIELD Illinois will submit your location information to CLIA. You must have every location where you will be administering the test listed on the CLIA waiver. SHIELD Illinois submits new locations to add to our CLIA waiver on Friday at the close of business. As soon as we receive confirmation from IDPH that your location(s) have been added, we will notify you via email.