Summer peak of COVID infections continues: here’s how to get free test kits

Even as back-to-school season begins, the summer surge in COVID-19 cases shows no signs of abating. Here’s the largest wave of COVID-19 infections in the US since 2022with contagious new omicron COVID variants KP.3 and KP.3.1.1 account for approximately half of all new cases.

California was one of the first states this summer to report rising COVID cases, but it’s not alone: ​​27 states are now showing “very high” levels of COVID-19 in their wastewater, according to the CDCIf you plan to spend time indoors with other people, especially for extended periods, at-home COVID-19 testing may be essential to keeping your loved ones safe.

Read more: Did Your COVID Tests Really Expire? How to Find Out

On March 8, 2024, the federal government discontinued the U.S. Postal Service’s free COVID testing program, which allowed you to order free COVID-19 tests through the USPS. However, hope is not lost when it comes to obtaining free tests to detect COVID-19 infections. Read on to find out how you can still get free COVID tests, as well as how to secure free treatments and COVID-19 vaccines.

More information about long COVID and the latest information on bird flu in humans can be found here.

What free COVID-19 testing options do I have?

Now that you can no longer receive tests from the Postal Service, you have three main ways to find free COVID-19 testing locations in the U.S.: HRSA Health Centers, Test to Treat locations, and ICATT testing locations. These options work similarly, but we’ll break down the specific steps to find your nearest free testing location.

HRSA Health Centers Offering Free COVID-19 Testing

The Health Care Resources and Services Administration funds health centers across the U.S. These HRSA health centers offer free COVID-19 testing. You can HRSA’s Localization Tool to find a center near you.

First, select the language you want to receive your results in. Then, simply enter the location you want to search in the box labeled LocationThe locator also allows you to expand your search radius so you can see all the options in your area.

Once you find a center that suits you, click through to that specific center’s website and follow the specific instructions for obtaining a free COVID-19 test.

Test to Treat locations have COVID testing and medications

Test to treat is a federally funded health care initiative that provides more accessible COVID-19 care. This option differs from the others in this article because you can use Test to Treat centers to receive both COVID testing and treatment for the infection. Like the other free COVID-19 testing options, Test to Treat has a locator tool you can use to find a convenient Test to Treat center near you.

The Test to Treat Center Finder works just like the other COVID testing search tools. Enter your location in the search bar and the tool will show you Test to Treat locations in your area. A slider lets you adjust the search radius to capture all Test to Treat centers in your area.

In the Test to Treat locator results, you can see the address of each location, what COVID-19 therapies they offer, and other special instructions you may need to know to get tested. If there is no option to schedule a COVID test online through your chosen site, you may need to call.

Increasing community access to testing will help uninsured individuals access COVID testing

Increasing community access to testingor ICATT, is another free testing program you can use if you need access to free COVID-19 testing. ICATT works a little differently than the other programs on this list.

ICATT is specifically designed for uninsured patients who have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone can take an ICATT test at one of the program’s locations, regardless of insurance status. If you are uninsured and want to be tested at an ICATT-eligible location, you will not be charged for your test. If you have insurance, you may be charged a fee.

The ICATT locator tool works just like the other free COVID testing locator tools — enter your address or zip code to find ICATT locations near you. There is a search radius adjuster in this locator to customize your searches to capture the entire area you want to search.

Once you find a location, follow the steps provided by your testing location to schedule your appointment.

How can I get free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots?

COVID-19 vaccines and boosters are an important protection against contracting or becoming seriously ill from the virus. Since the CDC has recommended updated COVID-19 booster vaccines for everyone 6 months or older, you may be wondering how to find free COVID-19 vaccines.

If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, don’t worry. Website of the Ministry of Health and Welfare says: “COVID-19 vaccines are 100% free to everyone living in the United States.”

On September 14, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Welfare launched the Bridge Access Programwhich will continue to provide free vaccines to uninsured people through local health departments and HRSA centers. The CDC has also partnered with “more than 20,000 pharmacy locations across the country” to provide free vaccines by adapting the existing ICATT program mentioned above.

The Bridge Access Program ends in December 2024, but until then you can access free COVID-19 vaccines. To use it, go to vaccines.govchoose which shot you want and then click the ‘search’ button. On the next page, select the ‘Bridge Access Program Participant’ option to see which locations are offering free vaccines.

Learn how your blood type may make you more susceptible to COVID and everything you need to know about the updated COVID-19 booster vaccines.

Correction, September 21, 2023: An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information about the cost of vaccines for people without insurance. It has been updated with information about how people can get vaccines for free.