The U.S. government has once again opened the doors for Americans to receive four at-home COVID-19 tests by mail, while supplies last. This initiative comes at a time when being prepared for respiratory illnesses remains critical to public health.
How to Order Your COVID-19 Tests
If you’re interested in receiving the four COVID-19 tests, the process is straightforward and accessible to most households. The Biden administration has relaunched the program through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), similar to earlier efforts seen in 2022 and 2023.
To request your tests, you simply need to visit the government website, COVIDTests.gov, and fill out a brief form. The form will ask for your name, home address, and an optional email address if you would like shipping updates. Tests are typically mailed within a few weeks of placing your order, but this timeline could change depending on supply levels and shipping conditions.
For those without internet access, the government has also made a phone line available so individuals can call in their request. This ensures that people from all walks of life, including those in rural or underserved areas, have access to these resources. However, it is important to note that only one order is permitted per residential address, so households will need to coordinate if multiple people need tests.
What’s Inside: Types of COVID-19 Tests You’ll Receive
The COVID-19 tests provided are antigen tests, which offer rapid results and can be done from the comfort of your home. Antigen tests generally provide results within 15 to 30 minutes, detecting specific proteins related to the virus. These tests are considered useful for identifying active infections but should be used with caution.
While antigen tests are a convenient way to quickly check for COVID-19, they are not as sensitive as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which are typically processed in laboratories. A positive result from an at-home antigen test is generally reliable, but negative results should be treated carefully, especially if you’re symptomatic or have had a recent known exposure to COVID-19. In such cases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises following up with a PCR test for more accurate results or repeating the antigen test a day or two later.
It’s also worth noting that these tests have expiration dates, and using expired tests may lead to inaccurate results. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has periodically extended expiration dates for certain brands of tests based on additional stability data, so it’s wise to check the latest guidance on any tests you receive.
Why You Should Consider Ordering These Tests
The timing of this initiative aligns with the onset of colder weather, a period when many experts believe respiratory illnesses—COVID-19 included—are more likely to spread. Flu season typically peaks between late fall and winter, and many health professionals anticipate COVID-19 cases to rise in tandem with other respiratory viruses like RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).
Having tests on hand allows individuals to quickly determine if they might be infected and take necessary precautions. These can include self-isolation, notifying close contacts, or seeking medical advice, depending on the circumstances. Even as vaccinations and natural immunity provide some level of protection, breakthrough infections continue to occur, making testing a key component of managing personal and community health.
Moreover, these tests could offer a layer of reassurance for those who are frequently in contact with vulnerable populations, such as elderly relatives or immunocompromised individuals. Since early detection of COVID-19 can play a critical role in preventing its spread, having these tests readily available at home can help mitigate the risk of unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Limitations of the Program
While the program is an important resource, it’s essential to be aware of its limitations. The most obvious is that the availability of the tests is finite. As the U.S. government has clarified, this is a temporary program that will last only while supplies remain. It’s unclear how large the current stockpile of tests is, but earlier rounds of test distribution have seen demand outstrip supply relatively quickly.
Another factor is that testing availability does not necessarily guarantee rapid access to other treatments or interventions. Those who test positive but are at high risk for severe COVID-19 may still need to contact a healthcare provider to explore treatment options like antiviral medications, if appropriate. Additionally, while testing is a useful tool for early detection, it is just one piece of the broader public health strategy to manage the pandemic, which includes vaccination, masking in high-risk environments, and other preventive measures.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for COVID-19 Testing?
As of now, it remains unclear whether this will be the last time Americans can access COVID-19 tests through a federal program. Government officials have not ruled out future rounds of distribution but have emphasized that this current batch of tests is limited. Given the unpredictable nature of viral surges, further initiatives could emerge, particularly if COVID-19 cases spike significantly in the winter months.
In the meantime, local health departments and clinics may offer additional testing options, often at no cost, for individuals who may miss out on ordering through the federal program. The continued presence of COVID-19 underscores the importance of staying informed about the resources available to help manage the virus in everyday life.
Get Your Tests Today
While supplies last, the U.S. government is once again offering four COVID-19 tests to Americans, providing an accessible option for at-home testing as the colder months approach. Ordering is simple, but demand may quickly outpace supply, so individuals interested in receiving these tests should consider acting soon.
Though these antigen tests can offer timely insight into potential infections, it’s important to use them as part of a broader strategy, including considering follow-up testing and consulting healthcare providers when needed. Keeping these tests on hand may provide peace of mind and play a role in maintaining community health this winter.
