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How to Get Free At-Home Covid Tests Kits

This is a special feature from the City of San José, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
Post Date:02/04/2022 9:00 AM
This is a special feature from the City of San José, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
“Not only are the lines for COVID-19 testing keep getting longer, but so are the test results,” said Gina, a San José resident working in the medical field.

Many hospitals are overwhelmed with the recent surge in infections due to the Omicron variant.

For residents like Gina, who struggled to schedule a COVID-19 test, they can now order tests to be sent to their homes. The program began on January 19 and every U.S. eligible home can order four free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.

Go to www.covidtests.gov to order the free test kits.


Self-Test At-Home COVID-19 Kits. Photo courtesy of KHN.org

According to the website, here are important details to know:
  • Every U.S. residential home is limited to only four test kits.
  • The home tests are a rapid antigen test (not a PCR test).
  • A rapid antigen test is a sample collected through a nasal or throat swab.
  • Note that rapid antigen tests detect protein fragments that may produce a less accurate result.
  • The tests can be taken anywhere in the comfort of your own home.
  • Results are available within 15-30 minutes, (no lab drop-off required)
  • This test can be used by those vaccinated or unvaccinated
  • This test can be used by those with COVID-19 symptoms or without symptoms
Orders will begin shipping in late January and will take up to 7-12 days to arrive.

Parents and guardians should visit www.sccfreevax.org to sign up for a vaccination appointment or to find a convenient drop-in location.

For more information on how you can access and find COVID-19 resources visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19
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