A new federal website to request free COVID-19 test kits started taking orders Tuesday, a day ahead of the scheduled launch for the site aimed at getting more tests to Americans.
Supplies are limited to four tests a household, and the tests will ship within a week. There is no shipping cost, and there are tests available for every residential address in the United States.
You just need to share your name and address - no ID, payment information, or health insurance is needed.
David Lee tells KATU he's faced challenges looking for a test in the last few weeks and plans to use the website the first chance he gets.
"It’s just stressful because everyone I know seems to have gotten COVID now - fully vaxxed - or at least being exposed all the time ... so it’s kind of like peace of mind. Not having that test at home, it is stressful," Lee said.
Tom Palke said his wife ordered the four tests for their house Tuesday morning. Palke said his family tests before group gatherings or visiting older relatives.
"We have been fortunate and been able to find them, and so we haven’t had any problems. But, that said, they’re not cheap and I think it’s great to make them available to people who don’t have the same sort of resources that we have," he said.
The CDC recommends taking an at-home test if you begin to develop symptoms, five days after contact with someone who has COVID, or before gathering with those at risk.
According to the new website, tests are only available for residential US addresses, but that does include US territories and overseas military addresses. Some said they're encouraged by the new option.
"If I contracted it or thought I had it, had some symptoms, I think it definitely is something to look into. Probably a great resource. A lot of people I know have had a hard time getting at-home tests for instance, and the lines look like they’re getting pretty long at some of the clinics these days," Gene Cannon said.
KATU did hear reports of some glitches since the site launched, including people who live in apartment complexes, and those with postal codes that changed in the last few years. The White House did acknowledge there could be some hiccups during this process.