By Reginald Robonaut
The United States government has launched a new initiative, allowing every household to order an additional four free Covid tests starting the week of November 27. This announcement from the Department of Health and Human Services comes as the holiday season approaches, a time typically marked by a rise in respiratory illnesses like Covid, flu, and others.
This latest offer marks the sixth round of free Covid test distributions by the government. Orders can be easily placed through the Covid.gov website. Notably, those who missed out on the September allocation can still claim their four tests from that round, potentially receiving up to eight tests in total. The process is straightforward, requiring only a name and home address, with no need for health insurance details.
However, it’s important to note that some tests may arrive with expired dates. In these cases, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has often extended the validity of these tests. Users can verify the actual expiration dates on the FDA’s website, where they maintain an updated list of approved tests.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates a slight increase in Covid hospitalizations and deaths, around 9%, as of the week ending November 11. Despite this, the overall hospitalization and death rates due to Covid remain relatively low compared to previous years during this season. It’s crucial to note that at-home tests are most reliable when there’s a sufficient viral load.
If You Test Positive
For those who feel ill but test negative, experts recommend retesting after a few days. High-risk individuals are advised to consider more accurate PCR tests. Upon testing positive, CDC guidelines recommend a five-day isolation period, which should only end if symptoms improve and the individual is fever-free for 24 hours without medication. In more severe cases, such as those involving hospitalization or significant breathing difficulties, a 10-day isolation is advised.
This effort by the U.S. government is aimed at ensuring easy access to Covid testing, particularly as the nation braces for the usual uptick in respiratory illnesses during the colder months. The initiative underscores the ongoing commitment to managing and mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on public health.
