At-home COVID-19 test kits are starting to pop up on more pharmacy shelves right here in Northern Nevada.

November of last year, the FDA gave emergency use authorization to a molecular style COVID-19 at-home test. Fast forward to March of 2021, the FDA gave the same authorization to at-home antigen tests.

This type of test is different than the one you get from the Health District, which uses what's called polymerase chain reaction, or (PCR). Washoe County health officials recommend using the PCR tests over the antigen tests, as they seem to be more reliable. They may take longer as they are sent to a lab, but they are free of charge to residents.

By contrast, the Binax Now test is around $20 to $25 and can give you results in as little as 15 minutes.

Residents we spoke to seem to have a mixed reactions to the take-home test.

"I can't believe that somebody would buy something like that and go home and test themselves. I can't believe the level of fear that runs amuck through our community right now from this," said Reno local Brady Heines.

"I think it is easier if you can do it at home and have less chance of exposing yourself to corona," said Reno local Christi Marlin. “I would say that's a quick test to see if you've been exposed, but if you really want to know for a fact, I would get the CDC approved test."

"I think it takes away a lot of the stress and the anxiety of not knowing and wondering," said Reno resident Beth Planer. “Personally, I'm not ready to be vaccinated yet, I don't think they have worked all the kinks out. So, I think that this kind of testing is the best way to keep yourself safe.”

So far, the Binax Now is the only one we have found on shelves around Reno. It may seem a little complicated, but there are detailed instructions to walk you through.

The test comes with two complete test kits, which includes the test card, the solution that has some chemical components and everyone's favorite -- the nasal swab.

Of all the pharmacies we reached out to in Reno, only the CVS and Walgreens locations were stocked with Binax Now, with some saying they were just waiting for their first shipment of the tests to come in.