Ordering of test kits at www.covidtests.gov has reopened. Please click the link below to order tests.
The COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of slowing down, especially given the rise of the Omicron variant. CHWs (including promotores de salud and CHRs) have been on the frontline of this battle since the very beginning, leveraging their collective resources and knowledge for better health outcomes for underserved populations. It is more important than ever for CHWs to have the necessary tools to safeguard their communities against the disease. As a result, NACHW will be supporting the Biden-Harris Administration’s rapid test distribution by leveraging CHWs, both due to their skillset and ongoing contributions to public health during COVID-19. The Biden-Harris Administration has committed to equitably distributing over 500 million tests, with the end goal of the initiative being the proliferation of testing and vaccine resources to our hardest-hit and highest-risk communities.
Do you or your organization want to hear from NACHW regarding this initiative and other COVID-19 resources? Sign up today!
Register: Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates and resources from NACHW
NACHW extends thanks to our partner organizations who were key in the development of strategy and outreach: Dia de la Mujer Latina, Faiths4Vaccines, UnidosUS, Made to Save, Partners in Health (PIH), and the Vaccine Equity Collaborative.
Día de la Mujer Latina is a Latino community-based organization in Houston, Texas. DML’s mission is to promote healthy behaviors within the underserved Latino community by offering a culturally and linguistically proficient education and Patient Navigation for follow-up services, facilitating early detection health screenings, providing culturally preventative care interventions and training programs for Promotores/Community Health Workers, promoting wellness and navigation with resource information.
Made to Save is a national public education campaign rooted in grassroots organizing and equity. The campaign’s goal is to build trust in the COVID-19 vaccines and increase access in communities who have been hit the hardest by this pandemic.
UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an AffiliateNetwork of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels.
Faiths4Vaccines is an inclusive, multifaith movement comprised of local and national U.S. religious leaders, as well as medical professionals, who are working together to identify and resolve current gaps in vaccine mobilization, outreach, and uptake. The initiative seeks to increase opportunities for faith-based institutions, particularly houses of worship, to engage and support the United States government in its efforts to increase vaccination rates through the advancement of equitable vaccine distribution and combat vaccine hesitancy.
Partners in Health United States, the U.S. arm of Partners in Health, is striving to realize the right to health in the U.S. by working shoulder-to-shoulder with public health departments and community organizations to advance their long-term visions for healthier communities and more just systems.
At Social Current, our mission is to advocate for and implement equitable solutions to society’s toughest challenges through collaboration, innovation, policy, and practice excellence. We were proud to partner with NACHW and activate the power of our 1,800+ network organizations and beyond to amplify awareness of the test kit distribution and drive orders from within the communities they serve.
Health Leads is an innovation hub that works nationally and locally to unearth and address the deep societal roots of racial inequity that impact health.
The Vaccine Equity Cooperative is a collaboration of organizations focused on strengthening resources, policy and funding in support of community-based and public health organizations and workforces – both in their immediate local pandemic response efforts and in the longer-term building of crisis-resilient, equitable systems of health.
The Rx Foundation supports leaders in healthcare, policy, advocacy, and civic engagement in working toward a vision of health justice, where every person has access to affordable, high-quality, culturally competent health care, and where communities have power to address the root causes of poor health. Their recent grant programs include Health Care Quality & Access, Building Capacity for Health Advocacy, and Vaccine Access & Equity.
Families USA is a leading national, non-partisan voice for health care consumers that is dedicated to achieving high-quality, affordable health care and improved health for all. We combine policy expertise and partnerships with community, state, and national leaders to forge transformational solutions to address pressing healthcare issues. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Families USA launched a strategic initiative to advocate for equitable COVID-19 vaccine distribution and build a foundation to address long-standing, structural health inequities.
FAQS
General Information
Why is NACHW doing this?
As an association, NACHW is a strong advocate for the CHW workforce, allies, and partners. Throughout the pandemic, CHWs have shared their experiences on the frontlines with us, and we aim to do everything we can to ensure that CHWs are properly equipped to provide care for themselves and their communities. NACHW wants to make sure that our most vulnerable communities receive these test kits as soon as they are available.
Who is eligible to receive a package?
Anyone with a U.S. household address can order a test.
What will my information be used for? What won’t it be used for?
Your information will only be used to send you 4 free, at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 tests. You won’t be prompted to sign up for anything or receive promotional emails from USPS afterwards. (For more information, see the USPS Privacy Policy: https://about.usps.com/who/legal/privacy-policy/)
Will the government use this information for my social benefits or immigration status?
No
Is my information secure or publicly accessible?
Your information is secured according to industry standards and will not be publicly accessible. (For more information, see the USPS Full Privacy Policy: https://about.usps.com/who/legal/privacy-policy/full-privacy-policy.htm)
What should I expect after placing an order? (entering email vs. not entering)
After placing your order, you will be shown a confirmation message and order number on your screen.
- If you do not enter an email address: You can write down this order number or keep it for reference. You will not receive any other follow-up information.
- If you enter your email address: You will receive a confirmation and order number email from USPS to your inbox. Once your package ships, you will receive another email from USPS. This second email will contain a tracking number, which you can use to track your package.
Can I enter my information more than once?
Once someone has successfully placed an order for a valid residential address, they won’t be able to submit duplicate orders for that same address to increase the opportunity for others to access these free tests.
When should I expect to receive my tests? What happens if they don’t arrive?
Orders will start shipping (as supplies come in) in late January.
If you provide your email address:
- You’ll receive delivery updates to track your order.
- You can submit a help request form online to let USPS know if you think your order is missing.
Shipping
How can I track my package?
When ordering on the Federal website, you are given the option to enter an email address. If you choose to enter your email, you will receive confirmation and tracking information to your email after you submit your order. If you are helping someone else place an order and they do not have an email address, you may enter your personal or work email to track on their behalf.
Can I use my work address?
No. Packages will only be delivered to household/residential addresses.
Can I order more than one test at a time?
No. Only one package can be sent to each household.
Who is shipping this package to me?
The package will be shipped by the United States Postal Service (USPS) using your full name, household address, and ZIP code. NACHW is NOT shipping these packages and does not have access to the inventory.
How to use an at-home self-test for COVID-19 and how to help others.
What is a rapid antigen COVID-19 test?
Antigen tests are commonly used in the diagnosis of respiratory pathogens, including influenza viruses and respiratory syncytial virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for antigen tests that can identify SARS-CoV-2. See FDA’s list of In Vitro Diagnostics EUAs.
When should I take a rapid test?
Self-tests may be used if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed or potentially exposed to an individual with COVID-19.
Even if you don’t have symptoms and have not been exposed to an individual with COVID-19, using a self-test before gathering indoors with others can give you information about the risk of spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. This is especially important before gathering with unvaccinated children, older individuals, those who are immunocompromised, or individuals at risk of severe disease.
What happens if I test positive?
You should stay home or isolate for 10 days and wear a mask if others could have contact with you. Also, tell a healthcare provider about your positive test result and stay in contact with them. If your illness becomes severe, seek medical attention. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately. To avoid spreading the virus to others, follow CDC recommendations.
What happens if I test negative?
A negative at-home test result means that the test did not find the virus that causes COVID-19, and you may have a lower risk of spreading the disease to others. Check your test kit’s instructions for specific next steps. If you test negative, you should test again within a few days with at least 24 hours between tests.
If you test negative, visit the CDC Self-Testing resource.
How to use a rapid COVID-19 self-test?
Read the complete manufacturer’s instructions for use before using the test. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about the test or your results. Refer to CDC’s videos on How to Use a Self-Test and How to Interpret Self-Test Results.
How To Use a Self-Test – YouTube
How to Collect An Anterior Nasal Swab Specimen for COVID-19 Testing
How to Collect a Nasal Mid-Turbinate Swab Specimen for COVID-19 Testing
How can I help others?
- Tell them how they can access free rapid at home tests using their insurance
- Point them to information about Covid-19 vaccines
- Use the CDC symptom checker
Access barriers: All text found above in our, “How to use an at-home self-test for COVID-19 and how to help others,” is available in multiple languages on the CDC’s website. Currently, this information is available in English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, and Korean. The above videos and graphics are available in English and Spanish.
FLYERS, VIDEOS AND SOCIAL MEDIA
NACHW Flyers
Four Ways to Help People Get Free Rapid At Home COVID-19 Tests
About This Opportunity (covidtests.gov)
At-home Test Instruction Videos
Click to watch instructional videos for several test brands
COVID.GOV Social Media Toolkit
The federal government has launched www.covid.gov, a landing page for resources and tools around COVID-19. The web page leads visitors to tools and resources around testing, vaccination, masks, treatment, and more. NACHW has created a social media toolkit to aid in disseminating awareness to the public. Click HERE to access the toolkit.
Department of Health and Human Services Flyers
Give Your COVID-19 Vaccination Protection a Boost
- Poster for organizations to print and display to encourage people to get booster shots. Available in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic and Russian.
Protect Your Community and Yourself With a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Infographic to build vaccine confidence with the rural communities. Available in English.
What to Know About COVID Variants
- Infographic that illustrates the importance of vaccination in light of new, more dangerous coronavirus variants spreading. Available in English and Spanish.
Steps to Protect Your Health
- Infographic that explains older adults’ risk for severe COVID-19 and how to reduce their risk of getting the virus. Available in English and Spanish.
Tips to Slow the Spread of COVID-19 for Community Health Workers
- Information on preventive measures. Available in English and Spanish.
Protect Yourself From Both COVID-19 and the Flu
- Flyer for promoting the ability of people to get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time. Available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese.
National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-IRM)
A step-by-step guide on how to order COVID-19 tests from USPS online or over the phone.
Video Guide
Multi-language Videos and PDFs of how to take at-home tests
- Tests include BD Veritor, BinaxNOW, Flowflex, iHealth, Lucira PCR, QuickVUE, Roche, and Vault Saliva PCR. Click HERE
Checklist: COVID-19 Testing among Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants
- This is a checklist of actions for health departments to consider when offering COVID-19 testing services to refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. Download Now
Guide: Mobile COVID-19 Testing among Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) Communities
- This comprehensive resource offers practical guidance to testing event organizers interested in mobile testing among refugee, immigrant and migrant communities. The guide covers step-by-step instructions on identifying community partners, planning the event, implementing the event, and follow-up. Download Now
Get the facts campaign
- The Get the Facts campaign is based on CDC guidance, offering facts about COVID-19 vaccines in a simple and memorable way that counters common misconceptions. These facts address cost, ingredients, side effects, eligibility and more. Each set of materials includes translations in more than 30 languages as well as the ability for you to customize the logo, URL, photo and more. Click HERE
Conversation guide: COVID-19 testing
- Click HERE
Additional Resources
CNN – Here’s how you can get free home Covid-19 tests
Biden-Harris Administration Will Cover Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Through Medicare