Dayton Children’s offers antigen COVID-19 test at drive-thru sites to increase capacity for the community

**Due to the evolving nature of the response to COVID-19, information contained in this post may no longer be accurate. Please click here for the most up-to-date information on testing.**

Dayton Children’s is now offering an antigen test for COVID-19 at three drive-thru locations. The hospital secured the largest order in the country of a new, highly accurate version from BD Veritor™. With this supply, the hospital can help health partners and the community by allowing more people to get tested faster.

This test is a simple nose swab so it’s easier than the deeper swab needed for a PCR test. Results are available in four hours or less which can help speed up isolation of contagious individuals and contact tracing, in the hopes of slowing the spread of the virus in our community.

Dayton Children’s still offers the PCR test for COVID-19, as well. Each test offers different benefits.

locations and hours

For the antigen test, simply come to any of Dayton Children’s three drive-thru sites:

• Dayton - 884 Valley Street, tent in between main campus and Child Health Pavilion - view hours
• Springboro - 3300 West Tech Road, building across the street from the south campus- view hours
• Troy - 865 West Market Street, tent behind the Troy outpatient care center- view hours

See childrensdayton.org/covidtesting for updated hours.

how much does it cost?
Without a doctor’s order, the out-of-pocket cost for an antigen test is $60 payable by credit or debit card only. With a doctor’s order, insurance normally covers the cost.

why now?
The need for faster, easier tests is only growing with the pandemic. At the same time, antigen testing has improved tremendously in accuracy over the last few months. While the PCR test will always be the gold standard, the antigen test Dayton Children’s has is right in positive cases 100% of the time and accurate in negative cases 97.5% of the time in symptomatic patients. Those results are more accurate than the rapid flu tests!

can I get an antigen test without an order?
If the individual wants insurance to pay for it, there must be a physician order. If they prefer to pay out of pocket, no order is required. The cost is $60 payable by credit or debit card only.

how will results be delivered?
The individual will receive a text message with test results in four hours or less, if they provided a cell phone number. Results will also be posted in MyChart, if the family has an active account, and sent to the primary care provider, if the family provides that information. If a provider ordered the test, they will also receive the results.

can adults get the test?
Yes, adults can also get the test.

can I get the antigen test at any Dayton Children’s location?
The antigen test is only available at the three drive-thru locations.