WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Americans can once again order free COVID-19 tests sent straight to their homes.
The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.
The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot.
U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones as well. Vaccine uptake is waning, however.
Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
Here is the lowdown on the tests you can order.
- They are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
- Can be taken at home or other locations. Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
- Can be used for testing even if you do not have COVID-19 symptoms
- Can be used for testing whether you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines or not
- Are also referred to as self-tests or over the counter (OTC) tests
Tests are simple: Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.
Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, U.S. taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines.
The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.
Anyone who needs help ordering free COVID-19 tests can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
