Covid-19 cases are increasing nationwide As a result, many people are looking for places to purchase rapid Covid tests online These at-home Covid tests provide quick results and are more convenient than traveling to a point-of-care testing center, which the CDC says, when combined with vaccines and face masks, can help reduce the spread of the more infectious Omicron strain of the new flu

US health officials also announced that 500 million rapid Covid 19 tests will be distributed free of charge to Americans who want them (Details on how to obtain these rapid Covid-19 tests have not yet been announced) Similarly, private insurance companies will soon begin reimbursing Americans who purchase these tests

Whether you are going back to school, going to work, or getting together with family, we have created a guide on where you can get a rapid Covid test online In most cases, kits can be purchased at your local pharmacy or large retailer However, availability may vary depending on your location (Also, let's review what we know so far about the symptoms of the omicron variant

Some rapid Covid tests claim to be about 85% accurate in detecting traces of the virus However, actual studies conducted by the CDC have shown that the accuracy is even lower On the other hand, other studies have shown that symptomatic versus asymptomatic individuals may yield more accurate results Similarly, tests are more sensitive during the first week of symptoms

Most home Covid-19 tests require collection of a nasal or saliva specimen Many tests provide results in a few minutes, while others may require the specimen to be mailed to a laboratory (The FDA has a list of home tests approved for emergency use) )

While it is a good idea to keep tests at home in case you need them, it is important to remember that some tests have expiration dates; the CDC has a hub that provides tips on how to self-test, how to collect specimens, and what to do if a test is positive

For home use

Home Covid-19 test kits range in price from free to over $100 However, the Biden administration said it is working to make home rapid Covid-19 testing as affordable as possible For those who have insurance, the US government plans to require private health insurers to reimburse the cost of over-the-counter Covid-19 tests According to Reuters, reimbursement will begin the week of January 10, 2022

In addition, retailers such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Kroger will sell home testing for a fee in the coming months Community health centers and food banks across the US will also receive home tests, which will be distributed free of charge to communities in need

It is also worth noting that some states, including Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, have partnered with certain testing laboratories to offer their own Covid tests for free to households For example, New Jersey has partnered with Vault Medical Services to offer free home Covid testing to New Jersey residents The tests are delivered to the home via free expedited delivery, with results available in as little as 48 hours More states will offer expedited Covid testing in the future