CHARLESTON, W.Va. — At-home COVID-19 tests can now be requested online and shipped for free.
A website was launched by the Biden Administration on Tuesday to get the free test kits. COVIDTests.gov now includes a link to access an order form run by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Four kits per residential address can be ordered and shipped at no charge.
U.S. Senator Joe Manchin urged West Virginians to order the tests.
“Starting today, every West Virginian can order one set of four free at-home COVID-19 tests to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and these tests will be shipped directly to your home. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact each and every one of us. In order to defeat this pandemic, I encourage every West Virginian to order these free tests, get vaccinated and boosted to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Manchin said.
“As we face the Omicron variant and other variants, it is vital that West Virginians get tested when they are exposed or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Please do your part to protect our fellow West Virginians by getting vaccinated and testing when needed.”
By getting tested for COVID-19, you can protect the people around you and your loved ones. I encourage all West Virginians to visit https://t.co/fyEZHbQyVI where you can order up to four free at-home COVID-19 tests & help #StopTheSpread. https://t.co/fyEZHbQyVI
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) January 18, 2022
According to the Associated Press, at points Tuesday more than 750,000 people were accessing the beta ordering website at the same time. The full launch is expected Wednesday. The AP further reported that last month, Biden announced the U.S. would purchase 500 million at-home tests to launch the program and on Thursday the president announced that he was doubling the order to 1 billion tests.
Orders will ship for free starting in late January.