Late start In September, a set of four free Covid-19 test kits can once again be ordered online from the US government in just a few clicks and sent straight to your home. Kits can be sent to every household in the United States, even to U.S. territories and military addresses. Because you can still get and spread the virus even if you have been vaccinated against the current variant, you should have tests ready to see if you are infected.
If you need a test now, we have a guide to finding the best results test at home and has outlined the procedure for ordering and taking the test below. Also, check out our guide on best N95 mask and other Reusable masks we like.
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How to order your tests
Go straight United States Postal Service Covid-19 page. If you pass by Covid.govon the home page, you will see “Order a free home test” in a blue bubble. Clicking on it will redirect you to the USPS ordering page. There, you will fill in your name and address. Include your email address so you can receive shipping notifications. Once you have filled in your address, click the “Check Now” button on the right. Inspections are completely free, including shipping. Only one person per household can file a claim.
If there’s someone in your life who doesn’t have Internet access, the easiest thing to do is fill out this form for them. They can try calling the Covid.gov helpline at 1-877-696-6775, although they may have to wait a while. Don’t call USPS, because no one you talk to can place an order on your behalf.
Your test will arrive within a few days. There’s no guarantee as to which brand you’ll get and you can’t choose, but the website says these are rapid at-home antigen tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). licensing. Maybe you will get it iHealth tests we recommend.
You should get tested as soon as you start noticing symptoms or within five days of exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control. If you have no symptoms and your first test is negative, get another test based on the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually takes place within two days of the first test—most tests come with two tests per box for this reason. If your test results are positive, take another test to verify and five days quarantine.
Are your old tests expired?
You may already have some test kits available from previous government shipments or you may have purchased them separately. They can be used well. Check out the FDA list Authorized home inspections. If the expiration date is extended, it means the manufacturer has provided data to the FDA showing a longer shelf life than they thought when testing was first authorized.
Do you need to get tested now?
If you need a test as soon as possible, please see our guidance above Rapid at-home Covid-19 tests and where to find them. It also has more information about accuracy. Rapid tests typically provide results in about 15 minutes and are about 85% accurate.
Tests we recommend (see our guide for more retailers).
