Beginning in late September, a set of 4 free Covid-19 take a look at kits can as soon as once more be ordered on-line from the US authorities with just some clicks and mailed on to your own home. The kits might be despatched to each family within the US—even US territories and navy addresses. As a result of you’ll be able to nonetheless catch and unfold the virus even for those who’ve been vaccinated in opposition to the present variant, it is good to have exams available so you could find out for those who’ve been contaminated.
For those who want a take a look at proper now, we have now a information to discovering the most effective at-home exams and have outlined the method of ordering and taking exams beneath. Additionally, see our guides to the finest N95 masks and different reusable masks we like.
Desk of Contents
Order Your Checks
Head on to the US Postal Service’s Covid-19 web page. For those who undergo Covid.gov, on the entrance web page it’s best to see “Order Free At-Dwelling Checks” in a blue bubble. Clicking that redirects you to the USPS’ order web page. There, you will fill out your title and tackle. Embody your e mail tackle so you will get delivery notifications. As soon as you’ve got crammed in your tackle, click on the “Test Out Now” button to the correct. The exams are fully free, together with delivery. Just one particular person per family ought to place a request.
If there’s somebody in your life who would not have entry to the web, the simplest factor to do is to fill out this manner for them. They will attempt to name the Covid.gov helpline at 1-877-696-6775, although they are going to seemingly be on maintain for some time. Do not name USPS, as nobody you communicate to will have the ability to place orders in your behalf.
Your exams ought to arrive inside a number of days. There is not any assure as to what model you will be getting, and you may’t select, however the web site says these are Meals and Drug Administration (FDA)–licensed at-home fast antigen exams. It’s attainable you’ll obtain the iHealth exams we suggest.
It is best to take a take a look at as quickly as you begin to discover signs or inside 5 days of publicity, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management. For those who’re asymptomatic and your first take a look at is unfavourable, take one other take a look at primarily based on the producer’s directions. That is normally inside two days of the primary take a look at—most exams include two exams per field because of this. In case your take a look at is constructive, take one other take a look at to confirm it and quarantine for 5 days.
Are Your Previous Checks Expired?
You would possibly have already got a number of exams available from previous authorities shipments or that you have purchased individually. They’re seemingly superb to make use of. Test the FDA’s listing of licensed at-home exams. If the expiration date was prolonged, which means the producer supplied knowledge to the FDA exhibiting that the shelf-life is longer than it thought when the take a look at was first licensed.
Do You Want a Take a look at Proper Now?
For those who want a take a look at ASAP, please examine our information on Speedy At-Dwelling Covid-19 Checks and The place to Discover Them. It additionally has extra details about accuracy. Speedy exams normally present ends in about quarter-hour, they usually’re about 85 p.c correct.
The Checks We Suggest (see our information for extra retailers).