NPR: COVID tests https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1057470918 COVID tests en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Wed, 07 May 2025 00:29:00 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR: COVID tests https://www.npr.org/tags/1057470918/covid-tests A new round of free COVID tests is coming soon Starting in late September, Americans will be able to order up to four free at-home COVID-19 tests that will be delivered to your mailbox. The tests will be able to detect newer variants of the virus. Sat, 24 Aug 2024 14:48:18 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2024/08/24/nx-s1-5088623/free-covid-tests-by-mail https://www.npr.org/2024/08/24/nx-s1-5088623/free-covid-tests-by-mail

Starting in late September, Americans will be able to order up to four free at-home COVID-19 tests that will be delivered to your mailbox. The tests will be able to detect newer variants of the virus.

(Image credit: Patrick Sison)

]]> Emma Bowman Top COVID FAQs of 2023: Staying safe at home, flying tips, shot combos, new variant How do I stay safe now that the public health emergency is over? We answer questions on boosters, risks when flying — and the new JN.1 variant. Thu, 21 Dec 2023 14:19:16 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/12/21/1219990346/top-covid-faqs-of-2023-staying-safe-at-home-flying-tips-shot-combos-new-variant https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2023/12/21/1219990346/top-covid-faqs-of-2023-staying-safe-at-home-flying-tips-shot-combos-new-variant

How do I stay safe now that the public health emergency is over? We answer questions on boosters, risks when flying — and the new JN.1 variant.

]]> Marc Silver Free COVID tests headed to nation's schools Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community. Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:59:45 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/29/1215787045/free-covid-tests-headed-to-nations-schools https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/29/1215787045/free-covid-tests-headed-to-nations-schools Starting in early December, about 19,000 school districts will have the chance to order free rapid COVID tests from the federal stockpile for their students, staff and others in the community.

]]> Will Stone Seniors got COVID tests they didn't order in Medicare scam. Could more fraud follow? Some seniors got dozens of COVID tests they never ordered. Bad actors may have used seniors' Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government — and could do it again, investigators say. Thu, 18 May 2023 07:38:18 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/05/18/1176815536/medicare-scam-covid-tests-more-fraud-possible https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/05/18/1176815536/medicare-scam-covid-tests-more-fraud-possible

Some seniors got dozens of COVID tests they never ordered. Bad actors may have used seniors' Medicare information to improperly bill the federal government — and could do it again, investigators say.

(Image credit: Spencer Platt)

]]> Susan Jaffe The FDA recommends 3 home tests if you're exposed to COVID to boost accuracy Previously, the FDA had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. But the agency says new studies suggest that protocol can miss too many infections. Thu, 11 Aug 2022 17:46:04 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2022/08/11/1117060962/covid-19-home-tests-fda https://www.npr.org/2022/08/11/1117060962/covid-19-home-tests-fda Previously, the FDA had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. But the agency says new studies suggest that protocol can miss too many infections.

]]> The Associated Press You can order free COVID tests from the government again More than half of U.S. households have ordered at-home COVID-19 tests to be shipped to their homes. Now they can get more. Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:10:00 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2022/03/07/1085022030/you-can-order-free-covid-tests-from-the-government-again https://www.npr.org/2022/03/07/1085022030/you-can-order-free-covid-tests-from-the-government-again

More than half of U.S. households have ordered at-home COVID-19 tests to be shipped to their homes. Now they can get more.

(Image credit: Justin Sullivan)

]]> Tamara Keith Over-the-counter COVID tests will soon be free for Medicare recipients The Biden administration said that Medicare recipients will be able to get up to eight tests a month, free of charge. Thu, 03 Feb 2022 19:40:52 -0500 https://www.npr.org/2022/02/03/1078088301/over-the-counter-covid-tests-will-soon-be-free-for-medicare-recipients https://www.npr.org/2022/02/03/1078088301/over-the-counter-covid-tests-will-soon-be-free-for-medicare-recipients

The Biden administration said that Medicare recipients will be able to get up to eight tests a month, free of charge.

(Image credit: Mario Tama)

]]> Alana Wise A shot and a swab: New Hampshire to sell at-home COVID tests in liquor outlets New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu says he expects the at-home tests to be available at statewide liquor stores within the next two weeks. Fri, 28 Jan 2022 22:38:46 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2022/01/28/1076593232/rapid-covid-tests-new-hampshire-liquor-stores https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2022/01/28/1076593232/rapid-covid-tests-new-hampshire-liquor-stores

New Hampshire Gov. Christopher Sununu says he expects the at-home tests to be available at statewide liquor stores within the next two weeks.

(Image credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO)

]]> Jonathan Franklin Seniors are at high risk of COVID, but Medicare doesn't pay for rapid tests The laws governing Medicare don't provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, including rapid antigen tests. Here's how older adults can get free tests anyway. Mon, 24 Jan 2022 10:27:57 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/24/1074964627/seniors-are-at-high-risk-of-covid-but-medicare-doesnt-pay-for-rapid-tests https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/24/1074964627/seniors-are-at-high-risk-of-covid-but-medicare-doesnt-pay-for-rapid-tests

The laws governing Medicare don't provide coverage for self-administered diagnostic tests, including rapid antigen tests. Here's how older adults can get free tests anyway.

(Image credit: Frederic J. Brown)

]]> Michelle Andrews Why rapid COVID tests aren't more accurate and how scientists hope to improve them Recent research and anecdotes suggest some people are testing negative on rapid tests even after they have symptoms, then later testing positive. Here's what researchers think is going on. Sun, 23 Jan 2022 06:01:20 -0500 https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/23/1074978193/rapid-covid-tests-omicron https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/23/1074978193/rapid-covid-tests-omicron

Recent research and anecdotes suggest some people are testing negative on rapid tests even after they have symptoms, then later testing positive. Here's what researchers think is going on.

(Image credit: Joseph Prezioso)

]]> Maria Godoy