With a summer surge of COVID-19 cases in full swing, the federal government is restarting its program providing free COVID-19 tests kits to households across the U.S.
In Wisconsin, wastewater surveillance has shown a “high” or “very high” level of COVID-19 at nearly all the testing sites statewide. And the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 were growing by as much as 40% in southeast and south central parts of the state in early August, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
This is the seventh time in the past three years the administration has provided free test kits to Americans, health officials said last week. The program’s revival came just after the Food and Drug Administration approved updated COVID-19 vaccines for the fall, which will be available in Wisconsin within days.
Here’s what to know about how and when you can get your free COVID-19 tests.
How many tests will each household get?
Each household can request up to four free COVID tests. The tests will be delivered directly to your home.
How to order free COVID-19 tests
COVID-19 tests will be available to order online at COVIDtest.gov starting in late September, according to the website.
Officials did not provide a specific date when the portal would officially open. That information will likely become available closer to the end of next month.
More:When and where to get the latest COVID-19 vaccines in Wisconsin
Will the tests be able to detect new variants of COVID-19?
The newest rounds of free tests will be able to detect the dominant COVID-19 variants that are currently circulating, according to Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
As of Aug. 17, the subvariant KP.3.1.1 made up nearly 37% of cases in the U.S., and KP.3 made up nearly 17%, according to CDC data.
“Don’t forget to use these free tests when you’re concerned that you or your loved one may have COVID,” O’Connell said. “They will do no one any good sitting in your medicine cabinet.”
Where else can you get COVID-19 tests?
If you need a COVID-19 test before the free ones become available, you have a few options.
For people without health insurance who are symptomatic or exposed to COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides free testing across the country. There are about a dozen of these no-cost testing sites in the Milwaukee area, most of them located inside a Walgreens.
You can find your nearest free testing site on the CDC’s testing locator site. Some insurance plans also cover free COVID-19 tests, and you can order these through Walgreens by providing your insurance information.
COVID-19 tests are available for purchase at CVS, Walgreens and other retailers. These kits can run you between $16 and $24 for a two-pack of tests.
USA Today contributed to this story.
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