HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Dr. Karen Landers with the Alabama Department of Public Health says the rapid antigen test called 'Binax Now' is now used in certain schools.
Landers says Binax is not used in school systems in Madison County just yet.
"What we're doing initially with some schools is piloting the Binax for surveillance among some of their staff and teachers," says Landers.
The tests have been used for first responders, and free clinics also. Landers says so far about 200,000 of the tests are here in Alabama.
Alabama began receiving the tests, last month.
Landers says it's a good "surveillance tool" used to provide information that can help prevention and control of the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a plethora of information on how to protect yourself and other from the coronavirus.
The virus can easily spread from person to person, so the CDC recommends you stay at least 6-feet apart from people not in your household. The virus is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, breaths or talks, according to the CDC. Because of this, the CDC recommends you wear a cloth facemask when around others and in public.
Additionally, the CDC recommends that you frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Symptoms to look out for include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, a sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the CDC.
If you suspect you have the coronavirus, you should seek out testing and self-quarantine.
Click here to find more COVID-19 information from the Alabama Department of Public Health.