Wisconsin residents can get free, at-home COVID-19 tests mailed to their home again
Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are once again available to be delivered to people's homes, following last week's announcement that President Joe Biden's administration would reopen the free test program.
People in Wisconsin and nationally can now order four free tests per household to be delivered by mail to their home.
The revival of the free test program comes as COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have risen above levels from early July, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show.
In Wisconsin, COVID-19 hospitalizations are three times higher than what they were in early July, but totals remain far below previous peaks.
Orders of the at-home tests will ship starting the first week of October, according to COVIDTests.gov.
How do I order new COVID-19 tests?
Go to COVIDTests.gov to place your order. Fill out your name and shipping address. No other information is required. You may give your email address if you want shipping updates.
If you need help placing an order, call 1-800-232-0233.
What kind of COVID-19 tests will be delivered?
The tests are rapid, antigen COVID-19 tests that can be taken at home. The tests typically return results within 15 minutes.
Will the tests be effective in detecting current COVID-19 variants?
Federal officials say the tests are effective in detecting the COVID-19 variants spreading now.
However, no test is perfect. False negative results are always possible, especially early in an infection when the amount of virus in an infected person's nasal passages may not be high enough to be detected by a rapid test.
The Food and Drug Administration recommends repeat testing following a negative test result.
When should I take a COVID-19 test?
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you get tested immediately. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, it is recommended you get tested five days after your exposure.
If you test negative with an at-home test, the Food and Drug Administration recommends testing again two full days after the first negative result. If the second test results in another negative, the FDA recommends testing again after two more days.
Why might my COVID-19 test show expired dates?
Tests ordered through the government might show an expiration date on the box that has passed. But the Food and Drug Administration extended expiration dates for at-home coronavirus tests. The tests will include clear instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
The FDA has a full list of COVID-19 tests with extended expiration dates on its website.
This story includes information from USA Today.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to get free, at-home COVID-19 tests mailed to you in Wisconsin
