I tried the Pixel by LabCorp / LabCorp OnDemand At-Home COVID-19 Test

This is the first box I ever received from LabCorp in 2020. It was much thicker than the ones currently used today, which are about the same size in width, but much slimmer. Don’t be alarmed if your sample kit does not look like the one above.

DISCLAIMER: This content is not intended to be a permanent substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Refer to the CDC Website for updated information. The Pixel by LabCorp was permitted testing under the FDA’s reissuance of the emergency use authorization (EUA). Read here for more information.

EDIT: This review/content has been updated on January 20, 2021, as well as January 4, 2022. I have used the Pixel At-Home Test several times since this initial posting and wanted to provide any additional information. Since the original posting of this article, LabCorp has since updated itself, “Pixel by Labcorp is now part of Labcorp OnDemand.”

HOW IT WORKS

The Pixel by LabCorp COVID-19 Test (At-Home Collection Kit) is an easy way to find out if you currently have COVID-19 without leaving your home. They will send you an at-home collection kit to collect a nasal swab sample that you will ship back to the lab. The lab will test your sample for SARS-CoV-2, but does not detect antibodies or immunity. You must be 18 or older to take this test. This is a PCR test.

The website, in addition to the at-home test itself, explains the process thoroughly. First you complete an online eligibility survey. Because of a surge in cases, the kits are currently reserved for those with symptoms or who have been recommended testing. If eligible, LabCorp will mail you the kit. You can then choose a billing option, where you can input your insurance information or pay with a credit card. They also have an option if you are uninsured. I found it very easy to input my insurance information without any errors coming up. Your sample collection kit will come in a Pixel by LabCorp branded box and includes an informational card, sealed nasal swab, vial and bio-hazard Ziploc bag, registration information, and FedEx return envelope. It is pertinent that you must take your sample the same day you are returning the sample kit. The test is time sensitive, so it’s important that you drop of your sealed sample accordingly. On a clean surface, I laid out the contents of the kit and registered the kit online. I then conducted the nasal swab in both nostrils and placed the swab in the vial that is included in the kit and made sure everything was sealed in the bio-hazard Ziploc bag. The sealed Ziploc bag is then placed back into the Pixel cardboard box that it came in. This box should then be put into the FedEx return envelope provided. No postage necessary. Then you will drop off the package. I used a FedEx Drop Box and made sure to return before the last pick-up time. You can find your nearest Drop Box and the hours here. You can check online when the Lab has received your sample, as well as your actual test results.

THE TIMELINE

With testing sites being inundated all over the country, my concerns of getting a test done was growing. My local testing sites were flooded with crowds and lack of availability, so I decided to try my luck with an at-home test to see what the experience was like. I previously had gotten the PCR test at a local CityMD. The turnaround for CityMD (at the time was 3 days). In a panic, I ordered the Pixel by LabCorp test kit late Sunday night on November 15th, 2020. I had received the kit by Tuesday. I took the test Wednesday morning, dropped it off at a FedEx dropbox the same day, and the lab received my package by Thursday morning. I got my results 24 hours later on Friday morning.

Since this initial posting, I have used this method of PCR test several times. To see a further breakdown of the turnaround time and my experiences taking the Pixel Test, read the end of this post!

EASE OF USE / REVIEW

It was very easy to obtain the kit via the Pixel website and it came in less than 2 days. The website also has a tracking guide to your kit, saying if your kit is in transit or received by the lab. If you’ve gotten the swab test done before, you’re familiar with the unsettling feeling of the nose swab. You didn’t even know your nasal cavity went that far back. With the Pixel by LabCorp, you don’t have to insert as far, so it’s much easier to administer on yourself. It was easy to seal everything up and return the FedEx envelope. I also got my test results very quickly, which was easily displayed on the website. You can also view/download your official testing report.

RESULTS

I tested negative. Good news. But in no way is that a sign to act in complacency or regard the at-home test as completely accurate. Surely it’s gives some piece of mind, but like any Covid test, it is a snapshot in time and does not mean you did not contract it afterward or did not develop symptoms later on. Do I recommended trying the kit? Sure. I’m no healthcare professional, but I think it could serve as a temporary alternate or backup to another test that was conducted elsewhere. I would highly recommended trying to get an actual PCR test at a site, if possible. The testing process, incubation timeline, and everything around us is fragile and vulnerable to the threat of coronavirus rearing its ugly head. Wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay safe.

WOULD I USE IT AGAIN? (Added 1/20/21)

Well, I did. After successfully using the Pixel by LabCorp At-Home Covid-19 Test back in November, I gave it a try two more times for some peace of mind around and after the holidays. The boxes both times around were about half the size of the initial box I received in November. And by half, I mean thinner. They still contained the same materials inside, so I’m sure it was just to cut down on packaging/waste. I did the same process, swabbed what I could, and returned to the same FedEx DropOff Box in my neighborhood. Here is a breakdown of the turnaround time.

November 15th (Initial Order) —> November 20th (Test Results; Negative)

This was the first time I ordered the kit. It took less than 5 days to order the kit and then receive my test results.

December 15th (Initial Order) —> December 23rd (Test Results; Negative)

This time around, it took a little longer to receive the actually test kit. It wasn’t until the 18th, a Friday afternoon that I finally got it delivered. Because of my schedule that day, I was unable to take the test that day and unable to make it to the FedEx DropOff in time. Pixel is very adamant about not shipping over the weekend because it will not be Express, so I waited to take the test Monday morning (the 21st). I got my test results less than 2 days later. This time, it took a little less than 8 days, BUT, I did purposefully wait the weekend to pass to successfully ship it off. This is something to consider when ordering the kits — if you can get the test delivered, take the sample and deliver it in a timely manner prior to the weekend.

January 8th (Initial Order) —> January 13th (Test Results; Negative)

This time it also took less than 5 days from order to test results. No issues.

Typically, it takes 5-6 days from your initial order to getting your test results. This may or may not be comparable to regular PCR tests in your area. I know some places have poor turnaround time, some are fairly quick, so it really depends on the availability and efficiency in your area. As with any Covid test, you should stay put and quarantine before receiving any test results because you never know. Now, with the vaccine being rolled out, hopefully we can all do our part and strive for better days ahead.

**Added January 4th, 2022**

Please see the table below on the ordering and testing turnaround times. I have used these PCR tests to safely get results without having to worry about making appointments, waiting in busy lines, and accidentally exposing myself to and from other individuals. I am lucky to be working from home and only live with 1 roommate, so it is much easier for me to isolate when I need to. This may not be a suitable option if you cannot stay home while you are waiting for your test results, are in a time crunch, or need a viable negative test for travel. Additionally, my insurance easily covers this and I haven’t had any issues with any claims.

	Order Placed	Box Received	Results	Total Number of Days	Comments
Test #1	Nov 15, 2020	Nov 18	Nov 20, 2020	~5 Days
Test #2	Dec 15, 2020	Dec 18	Dec 23, 2020	~8 Days	This took the longest because I had received the kit Friday afternoon and did not have time to take the sample and submit before my last FedEx drop off. FexEx does not pickup/delivery accordingly on weekends. This meant I had to wait until Monday to take my sample and drop it off.
Test #3	Jan 8, 2021	Jan 9	Jan 13, 2021	~5 Days
Test #4	June 22, 2021	June 24	June 27, 2021	~5 Days
Test #5	Sep 16, 2021	Sep 18	Sep 23, 2021	~7 Days	Similar to the 2nd test, the weekend got in the way.
Test #6	Oct 8, 2021	Oct 9	Oct 13, 2021	~5 Days
Test #7	Nov 2, 2021	Nov 4	Nov 8, 2021	~6 Days
Test #8	Nov 26, 2021	Nov 30	Dec 2, 2021	~6 Days	I ordered this on Black Friday so it would be delivered to me once I got back from a trip.
Test #9	Dec 17, 2021	Dec 18	Dec 22, 2021	~5 Days
Test #10	Dec 24, 2021	Dec 28	Jan 1, 2022	~8 Days	Please note that this occurred during the holidays and the Omicron variant surge. This caused a delay in shipping and inundated testing facilities.