More free COVID rapid tests are available. Here’s how to get yours

Need to refill on COVID-19 take a look at kits? The Biden administration introduced Tuesday that it’s going to present eight extra house take a look at kits free to any U.S. family that wishes them.

The supply, just like the one the administration made in January, comes with no strings hooked up. You’ll be able to order the kits on-line or by cellphone, and the kits will likely be delivered to any tackle in america, in U.S. territories, on U.S. army bases and at diplomatic installations.

The one restriction is that every family is restricted to eight exams this go-around, on high of as much as eight mailed beforehand.

Though documented COVID circumstances stay far under the height they hit in January, they’ve been rising nationally and in Los Angeles County, together with hospitalizations. The nation just lately recorded its 1 millionth demise from a pandemic that has lingered for greater than two years.

That’s why L.A. County well being officers are urging residents to don masks indoors once more and why the administration is urging individuals to proceed testing themselves. Response to the administration’s earlier supply of free kits wasn’t precisely overwhelming, although — in line with the White Home, greater than 70 million households ordered kits on-line, out of about 130 million households throughout the U.S.

Right here’s what you have to know concerning the newest supply of free take a look at kits.

How do I get them organized?

The drill is similar as with the final spherical of free take a look at kits. The simplest method is to go to COVID.gov/exams, the place you’ll be able to place an order via the U.S. Postal Service. The one data it’s important to present is your identify and tackle.

It’s essential to specify your residence or unit quantity to keep away from operating afoul of the restrict on orders per family. When you do have bother getting exams since you share a residence with different households, you’ll be able to name the postal service at (800) 275-8777 or ask for assist on-line.

And when you can’t go browsing or want the knowledge in a unique language, you’ll be able to name (800) 232-0233 (TTY (888) 720-7489) any day of the week between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Pacific time to get assist in greater than 150 languages. The Incapacity Info and Entry Line also can help individuals with disabilities with their orders; you’ll be able to attain DIAL by electronic mail at DIAL@usaginganddisability.org or by cellphone at (888) 677-1199 Monday via Friday from 6 a.m. to five p.m. Pacific time.

The kits will are available in two packages with 4 exams in every. Not solely are the exams free, however there is no such thing as a cost for transport. The White Home says the postal service has delivered most kits inside 48 hours of receiving an order.

When you didn’t order exams earlier than, you’ll be able to nonetheless get them organized now. For solutions to continuously requested questions concerning the free take a look at program, go to covid.gov/exams/faq.

Folks with medical insurance will also be reimbursed for as much as eight exams per 30 days — and in some circumstances get hold of the exams with no out-of-pocket prices. Examine along with your insurer to seek out out whether or not any native pharmacies are providing exams with no up-front price and if not, how you can submit a declare for reimbursement.

What sort of exams are they?

The kits include antigen exams, which look to see whether or not a pattern taken out of your nostrils incorporates a protein that binds to the coronavirus’ RNA. They ship outcomes shortly and at low price — in shops, packing containers of two exams price between $16 and $24 — however the dearer molecular exams can detect decrease quantities of the coronavirus in your system.

Antigen exams have confirmed to be nearly as good as molecular exams at avoiding false constructive outcomes. And in line with the CDC, these exams are additionally simply nearly as good with regards to detecting COVID-19 in somebody who’s exhibiting signs of the illness, equivalent to a cough, a fever and a sore throat.

The place the exams fall quick, the CDC warns, is with individuals who have the virus however present no signs, particularly in the event that they’re within the early levels of an infection and should not but have sufficient of a viral load to contaminate others. The company recommends that individuals carry out a second antigen take a look at a couple of days after the primary one, which is why the kits are bought as two-packs.

The exams don’t final without end; the kits include expiration dates printed on the field. However the postal service famous that the CareStart branded exams distributed earlier this yr have been authorized for 3 further months previous their printed expiration dates by the Meals and Drug Administration.

When ought to I take a take a look at?

The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention checklist 5 attainable triggers for taking a COVID take a look at:

• When you’ve got COVID-19 signs.
• If you already know or suspect you’ve had shut contact with somebody who has COVID-19 (by which case you need to take a look at your self 5 days afterward).
• In case your college, office or different group setting is testing to display screen for infections.
• Earlier than and after you journey.
• Whenever you’re requested by a healthcare skilled or public well being official to take a take a look at.

One downside on that first level, although, is that COVID shares a lot of signs with colds, allergic reactions and the flu. The Mayo Clinic has a web based information that can assist you type amongst all three. The Instances supplied this rundown of the variations between allergy and COVID signs. And right here is the CDC’s information to distinguishing between COVID and the flu.