Covid-19 Testing

Free COVID-19 Tests Available Again

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several boxes of COVID-19 tests

Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to receive an additional four (4) free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests — delivered directly to their home. Those who did not order tests this fall may place two orders for a total of eight (8) tests.

Ordering COVID-19 tests through covid.gov/tests is completely free – including shipping.

Expired Tests

Before You Throw Out “Expired” Tests: Check FDA’s website to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.

COVIDtests.gov website relaunched — free COVID-19 tests available starting Sept. 25

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Sample of a COVID-19 test

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), announced on Friday an investment of $600 million across 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers and the reopening of COVIDTests.gov to deliver COVID-19 tests for free to households across the country.

Beginning September 25, every household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

[maxbutton id=”2″ url=”https://www.covid.gov/tests” text=”visit COVIDtests.gov” ]

 

In addition to the federal government inviting U.S. households to order four free COVID-19 tests, there are numerous other options to get tested for free, such as free community-based testing sites, including pharmacies, across the country. ASPR is also distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks, and other community locations to ensure communities have widespread access to tests. To learn more, people are encouraged to contact a HRSA health center, Test to Treat site, or ICATT location near them to learn how to access low- or no cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.

Before you throw out ‘expired’ tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.

[maxbutton id=”18″ url=”https://uncashd.org/covid-19/” text=”COVID-19 Resources” ]

 

When to Take an At-Home COVID-19 Test

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man taking COVID-19 Home Test

At-home COVID-19 testing is one of our best tools to prevent the spread of the virus-alongside getting vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective at preventing infection, hospitalization, and serious illness, but no vaccine prevents 100% of infections. As the virus continues to evolve and cases are projected to spike seasonally, at-home testing helps you to determine if you have COVID-19 so you can prevent spreading it to others. Here are key scenarios and considerations to help you determine when you should take an at-home COVID-19 test and what to do when you get your results.

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When to Take an At-Home Covid-19 Test

  • You have symptoms of COVID-19.
    Refer to the CDC site for more information on COVID-19 symptoms.
  • You had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
    Wear a high-quality mask after you find out you’ve been exposed, and get tested 5 days after exposure.
  • You will be with someone who is immunocompromised or at high risk for severe COVID-19.
    Wear a high-quality mask as an additional precaution.
  • You plan to attend an event or gathering.
    Consider testing right before you go to an indoor gathering as a precautionary measure.

If Your At-Home Covid-19 Test is POSITIVE

You should stay home and isolate away from others for at least 5 days after testing positive.

When to end isolation:

  • After 5 days if you have been fever-free for 24 hours and you had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19.
  • After 10 days if you had moderate or severe illness and/or you are immunocompromised. Consult your healthcare provider for further guidance.
  • If you ended isolation but your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, you should restart your isolation from day 0 and consider re-testing.
  • Consider taking an at-home COVID-19 test to ensure you’re no longer infected.

Continued precautions:

  • After you have ended isolation and no longer experience symptoms, wear a high-quality mask through day 10 when around others.

Treatment and care:

  • If you experience severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain, seek medical care immediately.
  • If you are at high risk for severe COVID-19, consult your health care provider right away to discuss whether you need antiviral medication.

If Your At-Home Covid-19 Test is NEGATIVE

Re-test 24-48 hours after your first test, especially if you are continuing to experience symptoms. A negative test doesn’t rule out infection.

Continued precautions:

  • If you were exposed to COVID-19, take precautions to protect yourself and others (i.e. retesting, wearing a high­-quality mask) for 10 days after exposure, even if you test negative. Follow the CDC guidelines on COVID-19 exposure.
  • Knowing your COVID-19 Community Level can help you decide if you should take additional precautions, especially if you tested as a precaution before attending a gathering or spending time with someone at high risk.

Treatment and care:

  • If you continue to receive negative test results but symptoms persist, contact your healthcare provider.

Recommendations are from the CDC and current as of February 2023. For the latest COVID-19 information and testing guidelines, visit CDC.gov/coronavirus

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