I'm going to Alaska the end of this month and looks like they changed their testing requirements and my original plan won't work and I don't know enough about the different methods to know what meets the requirements.

From the Alaska site: " You must receive a negative result from a molecular-based test such as a PCR test. Alaska does not accept serology/antibody tests."

I have to have results from within 72 hours of my flight departure. I've got some rabid test locations that should be able to meet that and from their site: " A Rapid COVID-19 test is an antigen test that can quickly detect the presence of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Rapid COVID testing uses a swab like a standard diagnostic test, which is then inserted into a Fluorescent Immunoassay (FIA) scan to detect the presence of COVID-19.

Rapid tests with an FIA can bring back patient results on the same day of testing and with high levels of accuracy. It is also important to know that an antigen test is far different than an antibody test: an antibody test determines if a patient with a previous COVID-19 infection developed antibodies that fight off the virus. The rapid test determines if a patient currently has COVID-19."

Would that meet the Alaskan requirement? If not any suggestions or experience with the 72 hour window?

Just got back and all in our group had antigen rapid test. No problem at all with entry.

Doesn't the rapid antigen test show whether you have had it, or that you have it now? Where do you get those tests?

BANA89 said:

---

Doesn't the rapid antigen test show whether you have had it, or that you have it now? Where do you get those tests?

---

You're thinking of antibody testing. Rapid Antigen test should show if you currently have viral proteins or particles (antigen) in you. PCR is looking for DNA of the coronavirus.

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/docs/COVID19-PCRvsSerologyTesting.pdf

rehaas19 said:

---

Just got back and all in our group had antigen rapid test. No problem at all with entry.

---

Awesome, thanks. Fingers crossed nothing changes after the Aug. 11 update.

Ok, thanks. Anybody know know what the best antibody test is and where someone could get tested?

As an Alaskan resident and who's wife is in DHSS and on daily conference calls with the Chief Medical Officer of the State I can tell you that if you use the the link on the State of Alaska COVID page for Travelers you can find all approved testing locations and the type of test they perform. If your test comes from one of these locations you'll for sure be approved for entry as it was from their internal site.

State of Alaska Traveler information
https://covid19.alaska.gov/travelers/

ArcGIS covid testing locations
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ec47819f57c40598a4eaf45bf9e0d16

Not to derail, but where are you going? Also, do you have excursions already planned out? A lot of the "touristy stuff" is shut down for the year completely so it's been kind of a ghost town. As a Juneau resident, I've totally enjoyed having the summer in Alaska to ourselves. Trails have been empty, downtown has been pleasant, there's no tour buses delaying my driving. No idiotic tourists getting to close to bears on the side of the road for pictures. I'm definitely going to miss this summer, as weird as that sounds.

I also travel most of the State for work and have been in Anchorage, Talkeetna, Homer and everywhere in between since COVID happened. If you have any questions feel free to reach out.

jesse.escamilla3@gmail.com

PS, if you're in Anchorage do take proper precautions as the Anchorage/MatSu area have become our State hotpots. I avoid the city if and when I can. Only getting food to go and eating in my room or in the bed of our rental truck. That's actually our work policy, but it's been good practice and quite enjoyable if weather permits.

Alaska COVID Data. See Anchorage numbers in red on the daily positive chart.
https://coronavirus-response-alaska-dhss.hub.arcgis.com/

Appreciate the links and info. I'll check it all out this evening. There's 6 of us going fishing 4 days with a guide that provides lodging all to ourselves in Ketchikan. We've been in pretty constant contact and the captain sounds very ready for us to get there.

Seems like if there's any kink now it will be he 72 hr issue. Originally planned to get tested 5 days in advance and then get tested again in airport and be on our way. With no non-resident testing as of aug. 11 things may get tricky.

Sounds fun. I haven't been to Ketchikan this year but I was there a lot last year. It's always for work so I don't really get to play tourist. My exploring is typically to restaurants. If you have a car I'd recommend the dockside galley and Knudson cove for burgers. Knudson cove has a nice area at the marina to eat at but Dockside Galley is my favorite in town and I make it a point to eat there when I'm in town. Get some fried cheese curds to boot.

SE Alaska has had a pretty rainy year this summer. Juneau set a record in July of 29 of 31 days with measurable rain. Hopefully things take a better turn while your in Ketchikan. Have fun.

lazuras_dc said:

---

BANA89 said:

---

Doesn't the rapid antigen test show whether you have had it, or that you have it now? Where do you get those tests?

---

You're thinking of antibody testing. Rapid Antigen test should show if you currently have viral proteins or particles (antigen) in you. PCR is looking for DNA of the coronavirus.

---

Close. The PCR test is looking for viral RNA. Coronavirus is a RNA virus and doesn't have DNA.

If you're in Houston area, Breathe MD can get you 2-3 day PCR results for $230.