State expands COVID test program
Households can get 10 monthly for free
The Wisconsin Health Department has expanded its “Say Yes! COVID Test” program so that double the number of free tests can now be ordered each month.
Households can now order two boxes per month through the state’s website, up from one. Each box contains five rapid antigen tests.
You can order tests by visiting the program’s website, sayyescovidhometest.org, or by calling 211 or 877-947-2211.
Health experts recommend people test if they are having COVID-19 symptoms. People should also test within five days of a known exposure to someone who has COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.
Some of the tests may arrive past their expiration date. They are still usable, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended the tests’ expiration dates but that might not be reflected on the packaging. You can use the tests’ lot number to look up if they’re really expired or not at the FDA’s website.
If you test positive, you should stay home and isolate from others for at least five days.
If you test negative, you may need to test again over a few days to confirm the negative result. Antigen tests can miss some positive cases, especially if they are taken too soon after exposure.
What other resources available?
The state also has a free telehealth program that helps people who have COVID-19 and are at risk of serious illness access antiviral medications.
The medicines must be take within the first five days of a person’s illness. Set up an appointment at: tinyurl.com/4bhnnars
Being up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccines remains the best protection against the disease. The vaccines are still available for free to all people, regardless of insurance status and other factors.
Visit www.vaccines.gov to see where vaccines are available in your area.