Covid-19 vaccination efforts are in full swing in the United States with more than 89 million people fully vaccinated across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that doesn’t mean it’s time to start letting our guards down.
Testing is as important as ever, and easily accessible testing with rapid results may become even more important as more businesses, venues and schools reopen, and the summer season of concerts, youth sports and travel kick into high gear.
At-home coronavirus tests are a relatively recent development that can offer an additional layer of safety and privacy when you need to check yourself for Covid-19.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized several direct-to-consumer at-home Covid-19 tests under the Emergency Use Authorization designation. This means that they are unapproved products that have been given temporary approval for use during the national emergency, and have still met certain standards for approval.
How do at-home Covid-19 tests work?
At home tests are processed in the same labs used by primary care providers and hospitals, and are considered just as reliable. However, it is important to carefully follow all the instructions, to ensure an accurate sample is taken.
Most tests will require you to visit a provider’s website and fill out an intake survey. The tests will then be sent to you after you pay for the up front cost.
Tests will instruct you on how to collect a saliva or nasal sample. You will then place the sample in a provided collection container, like a tube or a specially treated card, and mail it back to the provider in the prepaid shipping method provided. Results are usually available within 1-2 days.
Where can I buy them online?
Here are a few options to try:
Everlywell: Everlywell’s mail-in test kit is a simple nasal swab with results that will arrive on your phone or in your inbox in as little as 24 hours. The tests can be purchased online for $109, and may be reimbursed by your health insurance plan. Your kit will arrive within 2-8 business days. Register your unique kit ID at everlywell.com/register. Follow the instructions to collect and ship your sample. If your coronavirus test results are positive, a free telehealth consult is available to guide you through your next steps.
VaultHealth: The physician ordered and reported saliva collection test for COVID-19, which has the same effectiveness as the swab test, is performed under supervision via Zoom video call, eliminating the risk of person-to-person exposure to the virus. The kit will be sent to your address via expedited shipping. Open the kit and look for the blue instruction card. Read it carefully and follow the instructions given via Zoom. Ship it back using the provided label. $119
hims&hers: This non-invasive saliva test is being run through Rutgers Clinical Genomics Laboratory at RUCDR Infinite Biologics, Rutgers University. If a provider determines it’s right for you, collect your saliva in the provided tube and send it back to the lab with prepaid expedited shipping. Test results are typically available through your Hims & Hers online account 3-5 days after the saliva sample is shipped to the lab. $150