Negativo!

 We did it! Jim and I studied hard all night and took the test again and PASSED it!

This time we took an Antigen test instead of the PCR test - and it came back with negative results for Covid. Either PCR or Antigen tests are accepted for entry back into the US. Both of them are "viral tests", meaning they test for the existence of the Covid  virus - not to be confused with the Antibody test which is completely different, it tests a blood sample and looks for anitbodies which indicate that you had Covid and some time in the past. Both PCR and Antigen use a swab from your nose or back of throat.

All totaled, we took 4 tests:

1. 12/29/21 - PCR test - Jim positive, Chris negative (this was taken at home 3 days before departure, but we didn't get the results until we already in El Salvador)
2. 1/3/22 - PCR test - both Jim and Chris positive
3. 1/7/22 - PCR test - Jim positive, Chris negative
4. 1/10/22 - Antigen test - both Jim and Chris NEGATIVE!

The folks at OAT got right to work rescheduling our flights so that we can catch a flight home tomorrow. The test is only good for one day. We're ready to go home! We will do this trip some time in the future.

To celebrate we went outside! It was just a couple blocks walk to a local Cervezeria.

4 beers, 2 small plate appetizers, one dessert + tip = $11

fyi ...

CDC requirements for entering the US ...

You must be fully vaccinated at least 2 weeks before travel, and ...

All air passengers 2 years or older with a flight departing to the US from a foreign country at or after 12:01am EST (5:01am GMT) on December 6, 2021, are required show a negative COVID-19 viral test result taken no more than 1 day before travel, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days, before they board their flight.

You must be tested with a viral test to look for current infection – these include an antigen test or a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

see CDC link here