At-home COVID-19 tests provided by the government at no charge have been arriving in local mailboxes, leading to some questions about how to use the test kits.
Up to four free tests are available through covidtests.gov or at local health departments.
Rebecca Johnson, director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Department, provided answers to questions her staff has been fielding.
The CDC also offers information about at-home, self-test kits. The tests provide rapid results and can be taken anywhere, at any time.
The CDC recommends testing if you are experiencing symptoms, or at least five days after you’ve been exposed to someone who is positive.
If you take a test and it is negative, you should test again in a day or two.
You should also take a test if you plan to attend an indoor event or a gathering. Take the test immediately before the event, or as close as possible.
If the result is positive, stay home for at least five days and isolate yourself from others. Watch for symptoms. Tell your close contacts and your healthcare provider. Wear a well-fitted mask around others.
QUESTIONS commonly asked at the health department include:
• How do I do the test? Please refer to the instructions and read ALL the instructions before attempting to do the test.
• My test kit was outside in the cold. Is it still good? Refer to the package instructions.
• My test kits are bad, how do I get another one? We are unsure if replacements are available. Refer to testing sites or those handing out test kits.
• Do I have to report the results to someone? No, reporting is not required.
• We used our test kits earlier but are exposed again, how do we get more? The limit is four per household at this time. See either the health department or a physician for more.
• My test says positive, but the control didn’t work, what does that mean? If the control doesn’t work, then the test MAY not be accurate. Retesting is needed.
