Increased Availability of Free At-Home COVID Tests for US Households

The U.S. government is offering four additional free Covid-19 tests per household, which can be ordered online starting the week of November 27. These tests are being provided as the holiday season begins, a time when cases of Covid-19, flu, colds, and respiratory syncytial virus typically surge. The tests can be ordered without providing health insurance information, and although they may have expiration dates that have passed, the FDA has extended the dates for most approved tests. Testing is still useful for identifying cases, especially for high-risk individuals, and to protect loved ones. It can also help distinguish Covid-19 from other respiratory viruses. If someone tests positive, CDC guidelines recommend isolation for five days, with a possible extension depending on symptoms and severity.