With COVID-19 cases once again on the rise, the U.S. government is making an effort to increase the number of at-home test kits available to the public. In a program that restarted on Sept. 25, every U.S. household can place an order to receive four test kits delivered directly to their home.
Those looking to receive the kits can do so through https://www.covid.gov/tests or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
According to the website, “The U.S. government will continue to make COVID-19 tests available to uninsured individuals and underserved communities through existing outreach programs.”
Individuals can also reach out to their local HRSA health center, Test to Treat site or ICATT location to learn how to access low-cost tests from the federal government.
The tests available to order are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR. The test can be taken anywhere and give results back within 30 minutes without needing a lab drop-off. Tests can be used whether or not an individual has COVID-19 symptoms. They can also be used to test whether or not an individual is up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines.
Montgomery County residents can still pick up rapid test kits and N95 masks at Montgomery County Public Library locations, during all open hours, except for at the Correctional Facility and Noyes branches.
Kits and masks are available on a table or cart near the service desk. Kits contain two tests with residents able to get two kits and four adult N95 masks per person per day.
According to CNN, the tests ordered from the government “should be good through the end of the year. Some of the dates on the tests may show that they are expired, but the US Food and Drug Administration has extended those dates.”
