The Biden Administration’s Website to order free at-home COVID tests is officially open at COVIDtests.gov. There’s been a huge demand for home tests with Omicron and they are extremely difficult to locate. LSU Health New Orleans Chair of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele said better access to home tests is vital.
“I think it’s a great idea because access to reagents for PCR testing is limited worldwide,” said Miele.
A PCR test is more accurate at detecting COVID, results take days because they are sent off to a lab.
Miele said you should only use a home test if you have symptoms and advises if you test negative to retest again in a few days because the rapid test has a high false-negative rate.
“If it’s positive then you do have COVID, but it’s extremely unlikely that you’re going to get a false positive on these tests,” said Miele.
The free tests sent via COVIDtests.gov are initially limited to four tests per household but you can also be reimbursed by your health insurance provider now, up to eight at-home tests per month, per insured individual.
Miele said because there is a shortage across the globe for tests you should reserve home tests for when you need an answer and not test for the sake of testing.
“Those should really be reserved for a situation where you can get an answer relatively quickly and the answer is critical,” said Miele.
To order the tests online you need to enter your name, address and email to receive tracking information. Tests will ship in seven to 12 days.
For more information and to order tests visit COVIDtests.gov.
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