After weeks of anticipation following a report by The Washington Post, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has officially updated its COVID-19 guidelines. The new rules, released on Friday, now advise individuals infected with COVID-19 to isolate until their symptoms are improving and they have been without a fever for 24 hours, instead of the previous recommendation of five days of isolation.
The CDC’s revised guidance aims to bring its recommendations for COVID-19 more in line with guidelines for other highly contagious respiratory infections like RSV and influenza. Following the period of isolation, the CDC suggests an additional five days of precautions such as masking, physical distancing, and rapid testing before interacting with others indoors.
This change in policy may raise concerns for individuals who are immunocompromised or simply cautious about COVID-19. For those looking to ensure they have access to COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and treatments, there is still ample opportunity to obtain them for free. Since January 2022, the US Postal Service has been offering free COVID-19 tests, with the option to order four more tests currently available.
To order free tests, individuals can visit special.USPS.com/testkits or covidtests.gov, enter their contact and shipping information, and complete the order. Tests are typically shipped within seven to 12 days of ordering and delivered within one to three days of shipping. For those without internet access, orders can also be placed by calling 800-232-0233.
In addition to the Postal Service’s free test program, there are other avenues for accessing free COVID-19 testing across the US. HRSA health centers, Test to Treat locations, and ICATT testing sites all offer free testing options for individuals. HRSA health centers, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, provide free COVID-19 testing and can be located using HRSA’s locator tool.
Test to Treat locations offer both COVID testing and treatment, while ICATT provides free testing specifically for uninsured individuals showing symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been exposed. The ICATT locator tool allows individuals to find testing locations near them and schedule appointments accordingly.
For those looking to receive free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots, the Department of Health and Human Services offers no-cost vaccines to uninsured individuals through the Bridge Access Program. Vaccines are also available at more than 20,000 retail pharmacy locations nationwide as part of the ICATT program. To access free vaccines, individuals can visit vaccines.gov and select the option for the Bridge Access Program Participant to find nearby locations offering no-cost vaccines.
As the COVID-19 landscape continues to evolve, staying informed about testing, treatment, and vaccination options remains crucial for protecting public health.