Tag: free covid 19 tests

  • Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership to Distribute Free COVID-19 Tests to Schools Across the Country

    Biden-Harris Administration Announces Partnership to Distribute Free COVID-19 Tests to Schools Across the Country

    School districts may distribute these tests for free to students, staff, parents, and school communities, with the expectation that millions of tests will be sent out in the coming months – allowing schools to stock nurses’ offices, distribute at events, send tests home with students or parents, and more.

    On Wednesday, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), a division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the U.S. Department of Education (ED), announced a partnership to distribute free COVID-19 tests to schools across the country. In a letter sent to local education agencies (LEAs) today by ED, school districts are being encouraged to order tests directly from the federal government to be made available to students, parents, staff, and school communities.

    “Keeping students and teachers safe has been a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration since day one. Making free COVID-19 tests available to schools this year ensures that students and staff can test throughout the winter months,” said Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “The partnership announced today leverages ASPR’s ongoing test distribution programs to reach school communities through ED’s close relationship to school districts – helping keep communities healthy.”

    The tests will be made freely available to all traditional and charter LEAs nationwide. School districts may distribute these tests for free to students, staff, parents, and school communities, with the expectation that millions of tests will be sent out in the coming months – allowing schools to stock nurses’ offices, distribute at events, send tests home with students or parents, and more.

    “The Biden-Harris Administration remains a committed partner with schools in keeping our students and teachers safe and healthy,” said Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at ED, Roberto Rodriguez. “These self-tests are easy to use and can play an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We encourage schools to make use of these free resources to safeguard students, parents, and staff throughout the 2023-24 school year.”

    The partnership announced today is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to boost COVID-19 testing access across the country – building on test distribution programs that ASPR has led for over two years. Over 1.6 billion COVID-19 tests have been distributed directly to households, schools, long-term care facilities, community health centers, and food banks through these channels – with over four million tests sent out each week, a number that is expected to rise as more school districts take advantage of this program.

    Additionally, ASPR opened another round of ordering on COVIDTests.gov on November 20, making four more free tests available to households ahead of the holidays. Today’s announcement builds on previous Biden-Harris Administration efforts to increase COVID-19 testing in schools to keep students safe and schools open.

    Read the full Dear Colleagues Letter from ED here.

    Order Today! Free COVID-19 At-Home Tests

    Get free COIVD-19 tests shipped directly to you at no cost before the winter holidays. Even if you have already ordered tests this fall, you can order more tests now.

    Order online or over the phone. Support is available in 150+ languages.

    Order Today!

     

  • Beginning Monday every U.S. household can again order free COVID-19 rapid tests

    Beginning Monday every U.S. household can again order free COVID-19 rapid tests

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    Beginning Monday, September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

    Go to COVID.gov on Monday to order the free tests.

    Before You Throw Out “Expired” Tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests’ expiration dates have been extended.

    15,000+ Free Testing Sites

    No-cost antigen and PCR COVID-⁠19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 15,000 sites nationwide.

    Find additional resources in your state.

  • Obtenga pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-⁠19

    Obtenga pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-⁠19

    Todos los hogares de EE.UU. son elegibles para ordenar 4 pruebas caseras gratuitas de COVID-⁠19. Las pruebas son gratuitas. Las pruebas serán enviadas en un plazo de 7 a 12 días a partir del pedido.

    Pida sus pruebas ahora para tenerlas cuando las necesite.

    Si necesita una prueba de inmediato, consulte otros lugares donde puede realizarse pruebas de forma gratuita en su área.

  • Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

    Get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests

    You can expect delays, but ordering the FREE COVID-⁠19 tests through the U.S. Postal Service before you need them is of course what you need to do.

    Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.

    Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

    • Limit of one order per residential address
    • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
    • Orders will ship free starting in late January

    If you need a COVID-⁠19 test now, please see other testing resources for free testing locations in your area.

    ABOUT THE AT-⁠HOME COVID-⁠19 TESTS

    The tests available for order:

    • Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
    • Can be taken anywhere
    • Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
    • Work whether or not you have COVID-⁠19 symptoms
    • Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-⁠19 vaccines
    • Are also referred to as self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests

    Read more frequently asked questions.

    Who can order tests as part of this program?

    Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

    How can I order tests and when?

    Tests can be ordered online at COVIDtests.gov. Tests will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

    To place an order, all you need is your name and residential address. No ID, credit card, or health insurance information is required. You may also share your email address to get updates on your order.

    Is there a limit to how many tests I can order?

    Yes. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.

    Can I order more tests if I live in a large or multigenerational household?

    No. To promote broad access, the initial program will only allow #44 free individual tests per residential address.

    There are numerous other options to get tested for free, including over 20,000 free testing sites across the country. If you have health insurance, your insurance will also cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home tests(up to 8 at-home tests per month for each person on your plan).

    Can Americans living outside of the U.S. request these free tests?

    Tests are available for every residential address in the U.S., including U.S. Territories and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO).

    Can I choose what type or brand of test I get?

    All tests distributed as part of this program are FDA-authorized at-home rapid antigen tests. You will not be able to choose the brand you order as part of this program.

    When will I get my tests and how will they be delivered?

    These tests will be delivered in the mail through the U.S. Postal Service. Tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering.

    All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

    Will I be able to track when my order status?

    Yes. There is an option for you to provide an email address to receive email notifications with shipping updates.

    Once your order is shipped, you will receive an email with an estimated delivery date and a tracking number. You can track the status of your delivery on USPS.com.

    All orders within the continental United States will be sent through First Class Package Service. Shipments to Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories, and overseas military and diplomatic addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) will be sent through Priority Mail.

    Can I pick up my tests somewhere or have them held at my local Post Office instead of getting them shipped to my home?

    No. This program is designed to send free tests to your home through the mail.

    Who do I contact if I ordered my tests but they have not been delivered?

    To get help with a delivery issue, please contact USPS.

    Will my tests come with instructions on how to use them?

    Yes. Tests will have instructions on how to use them.

    When should I use my tests?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you take an at-home test:

    • If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
    • At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
    • When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines.

    For more on when to use at-home tests, see the latest CDC self-testing guidance.