New Online Program to Provide At-Home Rapid COVID-19 Tests Begins Tuesday

(KNSI) — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Monday announced a new program that will allow people to order free rapid COVID-19 tests online to be delivered to their homes.

Beginning Tuesday, March 29th, two test kits per home for a total of four test kits per household can be ordered online now that the state has secured a total of one million at-home tests.

“Our goal has always been to ensure that when Minnesotans need a test, they can get one quickly and easily,” said Governor Walz in a press release. “Even as case numbers decline, it’s important that Minnesotans test for COVID-19 if they are feeling sick. That’s why we’re continuing to work to make tests easily accessible – now and in the future.”

“COVID-19 testing remains important for Minnesotans who feel sick or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan. “The program we’re announcing today will make it simple to get at-home testing to keep on hand when Minnesota families need it.”

“COVID-19 testing remains a key tool for Minnesotans,” Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Even during times of lower community transmission, there are plenty of reasons a person might want to know whether they are infected and a potential risk to others around them. We are working hard to make this testing as easy and barrier-free as possible, and at-home testing has clearly become a preferred option for many Minnesotans. This program helps Minnesotans access this tool in the manner they want.”

The program will be available until all the test kits are ordered. Minnesota will use this program as a model for providing more access to COVID-19 rapid testing in the months ahead. If the program is successful, it will be part of the state’s response to future case surges. Now that the wave of Omicron cases has passed, the focus is turning to the BA.2 Omicron subvariant, which Dr. Anthony Fauci says spreads 80% faster than the Omicron variant, but he isn’t expecting another case surge.

Citing a decline in demand, the at-home PCR testing through Vault Health will end on March 31st. Last week, Vault delivered around 1,400 tests to Minnesotans, compared to more than 16,600 tests per week in mid-January. For people who still have a Vault at-home test, those are still good until their expiration date.

Officials say rapid at-home antigen tests – like the ones the public can begin ordering on March 29th – “provide more flexibility to Minnesota families who need to monitor COVID-19 symptoms. The tests can be done at home, and results are delivered within minutes, with no lab delivery required.”

Up-to-date guidance on when to get tested can be found here. Food banks, local public health agencies, community groups, and other community health organizations may also have free tests.

Free rapid at-home tests can also be ordered here.

Anyone can walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the state’s free COVID-19 Community Testing sites or find a testing option near them through its Find Testing Locations map.

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