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Now that COVID-19 circumstances are on the rise throughout the US and President Joe Biden has examined optimistic, extra specialists concern that the BA.5 subvariant of omicron is resulting in one more wave of COVID infections. Right now, greater than one in two People reside in areas the place the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention at the moment are urging folks to put on masks to scale back transmission of the virus.
Testing for coronavirus stays essential, so if you have not obtained the utmost 16 free COVID assessments from the US authorities, now is a superb time to top off. On Jan. 19, the federal government launched covidtests.gov, an internet site that lets households order 4 free fast antigen COVID assessments, shipped by the US Postal Service. The positioning allowed residents to order one other 4 free assessments in March, after which added eight extra free assessments per family in Could.
There aren’t any deadlines for ordering the assessments, so if you have not obtained any, you’ll be able to nonetheless get the primary and second rounds. Together with the eight new assessments from Could, that is a complete of 16 complete assessments. It solely takes 2 minutes to order your assessments and, in my expertise, USPS ships them out fairly rapidly. See beneath to learn the way to get extra check kits, once they’ll arrive and what to do when you have issues.
Learn how to get free COVID-19 assessments
You solely want to supply the US Postal Service with just a few bits of data to get your free check kits. You will not be requested to supply any credit score or debit card particulars, as each the assessments and the delivery are free. This is easy methods to get your free check kits.
1. Go to particular.USPS.com/testkits. You too can get there through covidtests.gov.
2. Enter your contact particulars and delivery info.
3. Click on Verify Out Now.
4. Confirm that your info is right and choose Place My Order.
All orders might be shipped through First Class Package deal Service.
Individuals who cannot entry the web site or who’ve hassle ordering on-line can name 800-232-0233 to order their free assessments.
How can I observe my order?
When you place your order, you need to obtain a affirmation electronic mail. When your bundle ships, you may obtain electronic mail notifications offering you with delivery updates, together with a monitoring quantity and estimated supply date. Observe that for the third spherical, you may obtain two packages that’ll possible arrive on completely different days, so search for two affirmation emails together with your monitoring numbers.
When you obtain it, you’ll be able to both click on the monitoring hyperlink or copy and paste the monitoring quantity into the Postal Service’s web site’s tracker.
Extra free COVID-19 check kits are coming.
Sarah Tew/CNET
What number of check kits can I get?
Based on the USPS, every residential family is eligible for 3 rounds of free at-home fast antigen COVID-19 assessments, for a complete of 16 kits.
Just one individual per tackle will be capable to place an order for the free assessments, even when you have a number of folks residing in your house.
Can I select which model check I get?
No, there is not an choice to decide on which model of check you’ll obtain. All assessments are fast antigen assessments licensed by the Meals and Drug Administration, like iHealth.
When will the check kits arrive?
Exams are usually despatched out inside seven to 12 days of an order being efficiently positioned and are delivered by the USPS inside one to 3 days of delivery.
iHealth COVID-19 fast antigen assessments are equipped without cost through USPS.
Angus Mordant/Getty Photographs
What if I have never obtained my first or second batch of check kits?
The USPS says its website has had some difficulties recognizing sure residential addresses, particularly residence buildings, multifamily properties and residences related to industrial properties.
When you’ve got had points putting an order, you’ll be able to file a service request on-line or name the USPS Assist Desk at 800-ASK-USPS.
Is it OK to make use of a check package that was left exterior?
Based on the FDA, producers have ensured that the assessments stay steady at numerous temperatures, “together with delivery in the course of the summer season in very popular areas and within the winter in very chilly areas.”
However a check could also be broken by being left outdoor in freezing temperatures or getting used instantly after being introduced inside from freezing temperatures.
The perfect temperature to retailer fast antigen COVID-19 check kits at is between 59 and 86 levels Fahrenheit.
To make sure acceptable efficiency with a check delivered in freezing temperatures, convey the bundle inside and go away it unopened at room temperature for not less than 2 hours earlier than opening.
“So long as the check line[s] seem as described within the directions, you might be assured that the check is performing because it ought to,” the FDA website says.
The data contained on this article is for instructional and informational functions solely and isn’t meant as well being or medical recommendation. At all times seek the advice of a doctor or different certified well being supplier concerning any questions you could have a couple of medical situation or well being aims.
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