Free COVID-19 tests are available again by mail. Here's how to get four for your household

Jana Hayes, The Oklahoman
·1 min read
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As the fall and winter approach, and with it likely an uptick in COVID-19 cases, the government is once again offering free test kits.

Every U.S. household can get four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered to their home, after the previous free test kit ended at the conclusion of the COVID-19 public health emergency earlier this year.

The Biden administration restarted the program Monday, with the Department of Health and Human Services awarding $600 million to a dozen different test manufacturers. This investment will deliver about 200 million tests, officials said.

How to order free COVID-19 test kits

The federal government is restarting its free COVID-19 test program. Each household can receive 4 rapid COVID-19 test kits.
The federal government is restarting its free COVID-19 test program. Each household can receive 4 rapid COVID-19 test kits.

The test kits can be ordered by filling out a form with USPS, found online at covid.gov/tests.

According to USPS, here's what you need to know about your order:

  • There's a limit of one order per residential address

  • One order includes four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests

  • Orders will ship free starting the week of Oct. 2, 2023

  • Tests may show “expired” dates on the box, but the FDA has extended those dates

American households can once again receive free at-home COVID-19 tests.
American households can once again receive free at-home COVID-19 tests.

COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise

COVID-19 infections have been rising since early July, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. Hospitalizations are up 7.7% as of Sept. 9 and deaths 12.5% as of Sept. 16, but totals remain far below previous peaks.

In Oklahoma specifically, there were 236 COVID-19 hospitalizations the week of Sept. 9, the highest since March. Hospitalizations did go down the week of Sept. 16, the most recent data available, to 187.

Contributing: Ken Alltucker

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Free COVID-19 test kits are here again. How to get yours