FREE COVID-19 HOME TEST KITS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS
Kits can be picked up at libraries or ordered online
(Placerville, CA) — El Dorado County Public Health announced today that a limited supply of COVID-19 home test kits are available to El Dorado County residents at local public libraries. The iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Home Test kits are limited to one per person, and a maximum of two test kits per household. The kits will be provided on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
"We greatly appreciate our partnership with the El Dorado County Public Libraries to help make these home test kits available to residents," said El Dorado County Public Health Officer, Dr. Nancy Williams. Residents may pick up the kits from a public library in their District during regular library hours. No library card is required, but residents may be asked to provide proof of residence within the District.
In addition to the home test kits available locally through El Dorado County Public Health via the libraries, the federal government also announced this week that every household in the U.S. is eligible to order up to four free at-home COVID tests online at https://www.covidtests.gov/. More information about the federal government's free COVID home test kits and their requirement for insurance companies to reimburse purchases of home test kits can be found on their website: https://tinyurl.com/2zu38d6b.
According to Dr. Williams, COVID-19 home tests are ideally used:
- Two to three days after you have been exposed to the virus
- When you have symptoms that could be signs of COVID-19
- Just before you will be visiting someone who is vulnerable to severe COVID illness
- After you return from travel to a COVID-19 hot spot or
- As directed by your health care provider
"Testing is important to confirm whether someone has COVID-19 or not," said Dr. Williams. "However, we continue to emphasize the importance of protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 by being vaccinated and boosted, wearing masks when indoors with others, and avoiding being around those who may have COVID or are confirmed to have COVID. It is also important to stay home if you or a family member is sick with symptoms of COVID, a cold or the flu."
According to Dr. Williams, not all COVID-19 infections are detected through these rapid home tests. "The tests are most accurate when people have symptoms. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, but your test is negative, please isolate anyway. If possible, repeat the test a few days later," advised Williams. "You can report positive iHealth test results by reading the QR code on the side of the box with your phone and following the instructions on the Primary.Health website."
For more recommendations on when to get tested and where to locate a test in El Dorado County, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ykjwnht7
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