DEAR MAYO CLINIC: With COVID-19 continuing to be a concern, should I stock up on at-home COVID-19 tests so I don't have to wait in long lines to get tested elsewhere? What kind of tests are sold over the counter, and what should I know before purchasing them?
ANSWER: The emergence of the new omicron COVID-19 variant has increased the number of COVID-19 infections around the U.S. and heightened the public's awareness of testing options. As a result, more people are now being tested for COVID-19 as access to over-the-counter tests has increased. But the number of testing options, as well as the different types of tests that are available, can cause confusion.
In the beginning of the pandemic, testing was primarily performed using a polymerase chain reaction test, also known as a PCR test. This test was only available through certain public health labs. Throughout the middle and latter parts of 2020, many clinical labs across the country brought in molecular testing for COVID-19, including PCR testing.
