COVID Essential
To support your COVID-19 testing efforts, Color provides all the essentials. If your organization qualifies, you’ll be able to order test kits, ship samples to Color, and have results available within 1-3 days.
Contact UsAuthorized healthcare providers:
Order COVID-19 test kits online. Get results you can trust, fast.
Included in Your COVID Essential Test Kits
Test kits provide what you need to collect a sample, including tubes, swabs, patient takeaway cards, safety and use information about our kits, and instructions for collecting, storing, and shipping samples.
EUA from FDA for LAMP COVID-19 Testing Technology
Color uses nucleic acid amplification techniques (LAMP and RT-PCR) to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA, collected in nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and anterior nares swabs.
Samples Processed in CAP and CLIA-Certified Lab
Color’s laboratory has been accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and has Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification.
Essential FAQs
The minimum number of tests you can order is 50. There is no maximum number, but there may be an extended lead time in certain cases. For reference, test kits are shelf stable at or below room temperature, but above freezing, for an extended period of time.
Once you sign the contract and the ordering physician from your organization is verified, we’ll ship your COVID-19 test materials to arrive in 2-3 business days or less.
Email covidemployer@color.com with requested kit volume
Results typically take 24-72 hours, and in practice our average turnaround is 24 hours, though the actual time may vary. Turnaround time is the usual number of hours from the time a specimen is accessioned at the laboratory to when the result is released to the participant and ordering provider.
As part of our testing kits, we provide anterior nares (AN) swabs, which are near-nostril and non-invasive. All samples must be monitored or administered by a clinician.
Color will provide a unique program code that allows participants to enroll in testing using our simple software platform. They’ll be asked for basic information such as phone number and email address, and required CDC health information.
When test results become available, participants receive a text message and/or email notification that links them to a HIPAA-compliant portal to view their results.
Color provides materials and instructions to ship completed sample collection kits back to our laboratory. Shipping and handling for 1 return box is included in the up-front price, and you may purchase additional ship-back boxes at an additional cost.
Please see the Protocol for Shipping COVID-19 Samples to Color.
Helpful Resources
Setup needed:
- A laptop or tablet capable of running a modern browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
- Onsite staff with administrative access to Color’s Digital Intake App:
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- Go to https://home.color.com/create-account
- Enter first and last name
- Enter work email address
- Set and confirm a password
- Click “Create Account”
- Go back to your email and confirm your email address
- As needed, sign in at color.com/sign-in
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Questions about the COVID Essential Program: Email us at covidessential@color.com
Results-related inquiries, including dashboard questions: Email us at support@color.com or call 844-352-6567 from 6 AM – 5 PM Pacific Time.