Good news! The US government is now offering free Covid-19 tests that you can order.
You can request these tests through Covidtests.gov, and each US household can order up to four tests for free.
If you don't have internet access, don't worry. You can call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to request the tests.
These tests are designed to be used at home and are effective whether you're feeling sick or not.
Even if the expiration date on some tests has passed, they should still work until the end of the year, thanks to an extension by the US Food and Drug Administration.
In the past, the government distributed over 755 million free Covid-19 tests, but they paused this program in May.
Sadly, Covid-19 hospitalizations have been rising in the US since July, so testing is crucial.
The CDC recommends testing if you have symptoms similar to Covid-19 or if you plan to attend a big event, like a concert, especially if you're not fully vaccinated.
If you've been in close contact with someone who has Covid-19, it's a good idea to get tested at least five days later, even if you don't feel sick. If your first test is negative, take another one 48 hours later.
The Biden administration is committed to making sure everyone, especially those without insurance, can access tests through community outreach programs
They're also focusing on spreading the word about vaccines for flu, RSV, and Covid, particularly among high-risk groups like seniors and young children.