Poll: COVID home tests add challenge to pandemic tracking
Since very early in the pandemic, rapid tests have been a common way for people to test themselves for COVID-19. But new Massachusetts poll data out today from The MassINC Polling Group shows use of these tests has varied considerably between demographic groups in recent months, including during the height of the Omicron surge. Higher income residents report using far more home tests since the beginning of 2022 than do lower income residents (see chart). Cost is likely a key reason, as the price tag for regular testing can be hefty.
MPG Poll May 4-8, 2022
Different levels of home testing among certain demographic groups may cause difficulties in tracking and interpreting infection rates, masking higher counts among groups who use home tests more. Positive results on rapid tests taken at home are rarely reported to health authorities, leading to potentially more significant undercounts among some demographic groups.
Apart from income, another key factor in home test usage is whether there are children present in the household. Many school districts in Massachusetts have sent rapid tests home as part of their ever-evolving COVID-19 protocols. In households with children, 77% report using at least one home test in the last 3 months, compared to 52% of households without children.
In all, 59% of Massachusetts residents say their household used at least one home test in the last 3 months, and 16% of residents say one or more of the tests came back positive. Positive test rates were highest among those with children in the household, with 28% reporting at least one positive test. This echoes data reported by the CDC this week which showed a massive swell of infections among children nationwide during the Omicron surge.
About the poll: These results are based on a survey of 976 Massachusetts residents. Data was collected March 4-8, 2022 via online survey interviewing. The final data were weighted by known and estimated demographics for residents statewide by age and gender, race, education level, geography, and political party identification.