Complimentary Covid-19 screening tests have been reintroduced. Learn the steps to obtain them.
Every household can get four home test kits, which you can request from COVIDTests.gov starting today. These will be sent out for free beginning next week, delivered by the US Postal Service.
This is the seventh round of distribution under this program, which has distributed over 900 million free tests to US residents since its introduction in the winter of 2021, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The rapid antigen tests deliver results within 30 minutes. These new tests can identify the current variants and can be used for testing both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, as well as for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
In a statement, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said, "Reopening this popular program is the latest move by the Biden-Harris Administration to guarantee that anyone seeking OTC COVID-19 tests can obtain them during fall and winter." Before you gather with your family and friends this holiday season, she urged, take a quick test to safeguard them from COVID-19.
More accessible test options are also available for individuals with disabilities affecting dexterity or vision. For specifics on ordering these tests, visit ACL.gov/AccessibleTests.
According to the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, "COVID-19 testing allows you to determine if you have COVID-19, enabling you to make an informed decision about the next steps, such as seeking treatment to minimize severe illness risks and reducing the chance of spreading the virus to others."
To limit the spread of COVID-19, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that those testing positive stay isolated at home for 24 hours without a fever.
As per the US Food and Drug Administration, individuals should take multiple rapid tests to ensure they don't have COVID-19: two negative tests for those exhibiting symptoms and three for those without symptoms, administered 48 hours apart.
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The CDC suggests that everyone aged 6 months or older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine this season to stay updated.
This season, multiple options are available; Moderna and Pfizer's mRNA vaccines have been updated to target KP.2, one of the dominant US variants since May. These vaccines are suitable for individuals aged 6 months and older. A more traditional protein vaccine by Novavax is also available, targeting JN.1, though it is less prevalent than a few months ago. This vaccine is authorized only for individuals aged 12 and above.
The updated COVID-19 vaccines are currently available at pharmacies across the US and can be administered alongside the annual flu vaccine.
As CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen stated last week, "The optimal strategy for this winter is for everyone to maintain vigilance, utilizing the tools we have: vaccines, testing, and treatment against the illnesses responsible for the majority of fall and winter mortalities and hospitalizations."
CNN’s Brenda Goodman contributed to this article.
Utilizing the home test kits, you can ensure the health of your household by regularly testing for COVID-19. Following a positive test result, it's advisable to isolate at home for 24 hours without a fever to limit the spread of the virus.
