Linda Mahoney Herring alerted us to an article in Patch for the River Towns reported on November 11 by Patch Staff writer Michael Woyton, announcing that more free, at-home COVID tests available from the federal government. That article is copied below. It provides all the “how-to” you need to take advantage of the offer.
Free at-home COVID-19 tests are being made available again for free from the U.S. government. (Anna Bybee-Schier/Patch)
More Free, At-Home COVID Tests Available From Feds
Health officials said that having these tests will help people protect their loves ones during the holidays.
Michael Woyton, Patch Staff
NEW YORK — The United States government is once again offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to the public.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional four free at-home tests.
If you didn’t order tests when they were made available in September, you may place two orders for a total of eight tests.
The COVID tests are completely free; even the shipping costs nothing.
Tests may be ordered through this website or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
Officials said the tests being sent out are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR. The test can be taken at home or other locations and will give results within 30 minutes, with no lab drop-off required.
Health officials said COVID-19 rates and hospitalizations have been steady since an uptick in the fall, the New York Daily News reported.
Dawn O’Connell, the head of strategic preparedness and response for the Department of Health and Human Services Administration, told the Daily News that right before the holidays is a very important time for people to have access to the free tests.
“We’re going to see families gather with older loved ones and younger loved ones,” she said, “and it’s important that they are able to protect their loved ones from COVID as we head into the winter months.”
When Should You Take A COVID Test?
CDC experts said someone should take an at-home test:
If you begin having COVID-19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose or loss of taste or smell.
At least five days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-19.
When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.