Free at-home COVID tests available

The U.S. government has authorized free at-home COVID-19 tests to be mailed to residents free of charge upon request. The tests started shipping on December 19.

With a rise of cases of COVID-19 this season, free tests are being offered via the mail to help curb the spread as families and friends gather for the holidays. There are currently 11 El Dorado County residents hospitalized with COVID-19, one in South Lake Tahoe at Barton, and two in the ICU.

Four individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are available per household and can be ordered at https://www.covid.gov/tests. This is the third round of free tests offered by the federal government, following those provided in January and May.

When to take an at-home test:
- If you begin having COVID-⁠19 symptoms like fever, sore throat, runny nose, or loss of taste or smell, or
- At least 5 days after you come into close contact with someone with COVID-⁠19, or
- When you’re going to gather with a group of people, especially those who are at risk of severe disease or may not be up to date on their COVID-⁠19 vaccines