HONOLULU (KHON2) -- Locals who have expired COVID tests in their possession might want to throw them out.
KHON2 has details from health experts.
The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic has come and gone but locals might still have old COVID test kits lying around. Doctors said the Food and Drug Administration has advised not to use them if they are expired -- even if they still look sealed.
"It's kind of like a spoiled food. You know, air gets in and the test works best when it's dry," said Dr. Patrick Sullivan, CEO of Oceanit Laboratories. "The risk is you would get a false negative versus a false positive."
A false negative could lead an infected person to think they are healthy, so manufacturers are trying to balance supply and demand on store shelves.
"The goal is to kind of right-size it so we keep the fresh ones in inventory and sale and they'll be good for like 18 months or something," Dr. Sullivan said.
KHON2 did not hear from the Hawaii Department of Health on whether or not free tests are still available anywhere in Hawaii. Other doctors suggested to generally not use the ones that were sent by the government in 2021 and 2022 -- but an FDA website does list if certain companies' test expiration dates were extended.
KHON2 asked pediatrician Dr. Theresa Wee if tests with 2022 expiration dates are a no-go.
"Probably a no-go. But again, you can check it. But the ones I looked up, they're not dated that far behind," Dr. Wee said.
Dr. Wee added that the first week of school often brings an influx of patients.
"So what I'm recommending to all my families is, 'Hey, school starts next week for most public schools. Sit down with your family, start talking about how we're going to get back into routines,'" Dr. Wee said.
That includes good diet, regular sleep schedules, proper hand washing and regular exercise.
"I think all of this, we need to be reminded because we forget, you know, it's been a carefree summer," Dr. Wee said.
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Click here for a link to the FDA website on text expiration extensions or click here for information on how to buy a box of two current, valid COVID test kits for $17.