US Postal Service to end free COVID test delivery starting Friday, March 8
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COVID-19 is here to stay but free at-home tests soon will be a thing of the past.
Starting Friday, the United States Postal Service will suspend delivering free at-home tests from the federal government as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates its COVID policy.
Residents were able to order up to four per household through the program that started in November 2023
The rapid tests, which are antigen tests that can be taken at home, offer the quickest results on whether the test taker is positive or negative.
Once a struggle to get, the tests now are offered in many drugstores — but now at a cost.
CDC shortens COVID-19 isolation period
The suspension of the free test distribution is the latest change in COVID policy by the federal government.
Last week, the CDC updated its guidance so people who test positive for the virus no longer have to isolate at home for five days.
Instead, the new streamlined guidance recommends those who test positive base their isolation period on clinical symptoms and stay home if sick.
Yes, COVID-19 is still a thing: Here's where to get free tests, vaccinations and more
Health officials also encourages people to keep up to date with vaccines, practice good hygiene and improve indoor air quality.
The CDC doesn't recommend testing as a standard for deciding when someone is no longer contagious, in part because CDC surveys show fewer people use at-home tests if they have symptoms, according to Dr. Brendan Jackson, who leads respiratory virus response for CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease.
Where to get a COVID vaccine in Delaware
COVID-19 shots are available at most places: CVS, Walgreens, local health departments, doctor's offices and more.
Need a location? Vaccine places can be found at coronavirus.delaware.gov/vaccine/where-can-i-get-my-vaccine/. Free options can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/, although the COVID-19 vaccine is typically available at no cost.
Amethyst Martinez and USA Today Network contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Free COVID gov tests through USPS ending Friday, March 8
