Feds’ Website for Free At-Home COVID Tests Launches Day Early

Jan. 18, 2022 — Americans can now have free COVID-19 speedy exams delivered on to their properties.

The Biden administration’s new no-cost, at-home testing program launched at the moment, a day forward of schedule.

The administration mentioned 500 million exams can be found to be delivered to properties throughout the nation. This accounts for half of the president’s current pledge to buy 1 billion free at-home COVID-19 exams to distribute to the American public.

On a Jan. 14 name with reporters, senior White House officers supplied some particulars concerning the new program.

Here’s what we all know to date.

How do I order my free exams?

Americans can go to COVIDtests.gov to order their speedy at-home exams. You also can order instantly from the U.S. Postal Service web site. After you order, you’ll obtain a affirmation e mail that guarantees to ship monitoring data as soon as your order ships.

What data do I have to order the exams?

You solely want your title and residential mailing handle.

There can also be an possibility to supply your e mail handle to get updates on the standing of your order.

What if somebody wants assist ordering the exams?

There can be a free call-in line for individuals needing extra assist, together with these having hassle accessing the web, in keeping with White House officers.

What exams can be obtainable?

There are 9 at-home exams obtainable by way of FDA emergency use authorization. According to the Frequently Asked Questions part of COVIDtests.gov, “You will not be able to choose the brand you order as part of this program.”

How lengthy will it take to get the exams as soon as I organize them?

Tests are anticipated to ship 7 to 12 days after you organize them.

But White House officers say that the time-frame will possible shorten as this system positive factors steam.

How many can I order?

There’s a restrict of 4 exams per residential mailing handle.

For bigger households, White House officers recommend making an attempt different free testing choices, like visiting COVID-19 testing websites or your native well being heart.

Is this a one-time alternative?

The White House doesn’t say, however officers did point out that in the event you run out of your 4 free exams, there are numerous different methods to entry free at-home exams, reminiscent of COVID-19 testing websites, pharmacies, and neighborhood well being facilities.

The free exams obtainable by way of COVIDtests.gov are along with an estimated 375 million at-home speedy exams in the marketplace within the U.S. this month.

When ought to individuals use a speedy at-home check?

The CDC and consultants with different public well being teams agree that Americans ought to think about using at-home speedy exams within the following conditions:

• If they start to have signs per COVID-19
• At least 5 days after shut contact with somebody who has COVID
• If somebody is indoors with a gaggle of people who find themselves liable to extreme illness or are unvaccinated

Are at-home speedy exams correct?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and different federal officers confirmed by way of research that every one exams distributed by way of this program can detect the Omicron variant. These companies additionally confirmed that their efficiency is per the FDA’s emergency use authorization.

Is the web site designed to deal with excessive demand?

After the unique web site to enroll in medical health insurance underneath the Affordable Care Act crashed repeatedly at launch, the federal government says it has ready for prime demand for ordering at-home speedy exams.

The U.S. Digital Service (USDS), a company based after Healthcare.gov, has partnered with the Postal Service to plan for the launch.

The Postal Service has expanded its staffing, just like what’s executed through the holidays.

All orders within the continental United States can be shipped by way of first-class mail, with shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories, and navy and abroad addresses despatched by way of precedence mail.