{"id":22071,"date":"2025-04-30T08:04:42","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T08:04:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/site.itshrt.com\/worldnews\/free-covid-tests-are-back-but-there-are-more-accurate-tests-for-sale\/"},"modified":"2025-04-30T08:04:42","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T08:04:42","slug":"free-covid-tests-are-back-but-there-are-more-accurate-tests-for-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/site.itshrt.com\/worldnews\/free-covid-tests-are-back-but-there-are-more-accurate-tests-for-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"Free COVID tests are back. But there are more accurate tests for sale."},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6606220950177433\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ItShrt World News -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6606220950177433\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"1882483372\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<p><em><strong>2025 update:<\/strong>\u00a0This federal program has ended and free tests are not current available from the government website.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Manufacturers of the most accurate home <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/feature\/coronavirus\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">COVID-19<\/a><\/span> tests on the market say they were left out again from the Biden administration&#8217;s <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/free-covid-tests-fall-2024-how-to-get\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">latest round of free orders<\/a><\/span>\u00a0through COVIDTests.gov, which for a seventh time will rely on less sensitive <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/covid-test-pcr-antigen-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">&#8220;antigen&#8221; tests<\/a><\/span>, which are generally the cheaper options available on drugstore shelves.<\/p>\n<p>Federal health officials have justified the <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/free-covid-tests-how-to-order-online\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">millions they have spent<\/a><\/span> on device manufacturers for the latest waves as critical to subsidizing U.S. factories capable of producing tests ahead of another potential pandemic, during a time when <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/covid-19-tests-provider-profit\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">demand<\/a><\/span> has evaporated.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Taxpayer dollars have flowed largely towards manufacturers of inexpensive rapid antigen tests like Access Bio in New Jersey and iHealth in California, instead of more accurate &#8220;molecular&#8221; alternatives that the Food and Drug Administration has also greenlighted.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement, a spokesperson for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response said all the tests being distributed &#8220;meet sensitivity and specificity requirements established by the FDA.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;ASPR has prioritized procuring tests that are affordable, accurate, and manufactured domestically,&#8221; the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n<h2>What are the most accurate home tests for COVID-19?<\/h2>\n<p>The FDA currently has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices\/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">granted authorization<\/a> to only four over-the-counter molecular test brands for COVID-19, which are the most accurate but also most expensive options:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lucirabypfizer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Lucira by Pfizer<\/a> sells a single-use test that has the cheapest up-front cost, starting at $39.99, which detects both COVID-19 as well as influenza. The FDA says results take around 30 minutes and the shelf life of each test lasts 18 months.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.aptitudemedical.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Aptitude Medical Systems<\/a> sells a &#8220;starter bundle&#8221; which comes with a reusable reader and two test kits for $99.97. The FDA says results take around 30 minutes and the shelf life of the tests last around 18 months. Additional test kits cost $24.99.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/3eohealth.com\/products\/covid-19-test-kit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">3EO Health<\/a> sells a &#8220;starter kit&#8221; that comes with a reusable testing device and two swabs for $195. The FDA says results take around 30 minutes and the shelf life of the tests last four months. Additional swabs and &#8220;test keys&#8221; cost $39.90 for a two-pack.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cuehealth.com\/product\/cue-health-monitoring-system-reader\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Cue Health<\/a> sells a reusable &#8220;reader&#8221; that costs $199. Test kits are currently out of stock on the company&#8217;s website. The FDA says results take around 20 minutes and the shelf life of the tests last around four months.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These prices are many times higher than antigen testing options, though device manufacturers say COVID-19 tests are generally eligible for <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/fsa-account-how-to-spend-health-products\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">flexible spending account<\/a><\/span> or health savings account dollars and could be reimbursable under some health insurance plans.<\/p>\n<p>Results from using a molecular test take longer because the devices need to create chemical reactions to amplify any traces of the virus that might be otherwise missed by less accurate tests.<\/p>\n<p>That translates to an advertised sensitivity \u2014 their accuracy in correctly spotting infections \u2014 up to more than 90%, even when people do not have symptoms from the virus.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>By contrast, the FDA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/safety-communications\/home-covid-19-antigen-tests-take-steps-reduce-your-risk-false-negative-results-fda-safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">warns<\/a> that Americans relying on antigen tests should be prepared to use up multiple kits if they worry they might be infected.<\/p>\n<p>Since antigen options have a higher risk of producing a false negative result, especially early during an infection, the agency says people should continue to repeat their testing over several days after their first negative test.<\/p>\n<p>This difference is important early during a course of <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/xec-covid-variant-symptoms-states-what-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">a COVID-19 infection<\/a><\/span>, when the CDC <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/guidance\/background.html#:~:text=Even%20as%20the,course%20of%20illness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">says<\/a> people tend to be most contagious. The highest amount of infectious virus is detected from patients &#8220;within a few days before and after&#8221; symptoms begin.<\/p>\n<p>The CDC says in <span class=\"link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/cdc-covid-recommendations-isolation-masks-tests\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">its latest guidance<\/a><\/span> that testing negative on antigen tests can still be a useful <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/respiratory-viruses\/guidance\/faqs.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8220;option&#8221;<\/a> for helping to judge when it is safer to stop isolating at the tail end of an infection, offering a &#8220;rough approximation of whether a person is still infectious&#8221; to others.<\/p>\n<h2>What brands of antigen tests are being shipped by the government?<\/h2>\n<p>COVID-19 antigen test manufacturers told CBS News that they are still delivering kits to the federal government through awards in previous years by ASPR, including additional\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hhs.gov\/about\/news\/2023\/09\/20\/biden-harris-administration-awards-600-million-bolster-us-manufacturing-covid-19-tests-announces-re-opening-covidtestsgov.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">contracts<\/a>\u00a0last year to a dozen manufacturers.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Test kits are also being distributed &#8220;directly to health centers, long-term care facilities, food banks, other community hubs,&#8221; an ASPR spokesperson said.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Of those brands, a handful have been able to earn the FDA&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/medical-devices\/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices\/covid-19-tests-granted-traditional-marketing-authorization-fda\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">&#8220;traditional marketing authorization&#8221;<\/a> to continue to sell their tests in the wake of the pandemic as emergency authorities wind down, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/al21.com\/products\/cordx-tyfast-covid-19-ag-rapid-test\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">CorDx<\/a> sells two-packs for $14.99 that offers results in 10 minutes<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ihealthlabs.com\/collections\/all\/products\/ihealth-covid-19-antigen-rapid-test?variant=42372966776994\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">iHealth Labs<\/a> sells two-packs for $17.98 that offers results in 15 minutes<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/inbios.com\/product\/scov-2-ag-detect-self-test-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">InBios International<\/a> sells two-packs for $8.50 that offers results in 20 minutes<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/quickvueathome.com\/#retailers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Quidel Corporation<\/a> sells two-packs for $16.99 that offers results in 10 minutes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Other tests remain under emergency use authorization, including <a href=\"https:\/\/inteliswab.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">OraSure&#8217;s InteliSwab<\/a> kit. That &#8220;more accessible&#8221; test is being <a href=\"https:\/\/acl.gov\/accessibletests\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">shipped through<\/a> the Administration for Community Living again this year for free to Americans who are blind or who have low vision.<\/p>\n<p>While less accurate than molecular tests, ASPR says their antigen tests this year will continue to be able to &#8220;detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- data-recirc-source=\"chartbeat\" --><\/p>\n<aside class=\"component list recirculation component--type-recirculation component--type-recirculation-collection\">\n<div class=\"component__heading-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"component__title\">Coronavirus Pandemic<\/h3>\n<p>                      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/feature\/coronavirus\/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a\" class=\"component__view-more component__view-more--lg\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\"><br \/>\n              More<br \/>\n              <svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" class=\"icon__caret-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-caret-down\"\/>\n              <\/svg><br \/>\n            <\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n<p>                  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/feature\/coronavirus\/?intcid=CNI-00-10aaa3a\" class=\"component__view-more component__view-more--sm\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\"><br \/>\n            More<br \/>\n            <svg viewbox=\"0 0 32 32\" class=\"icon__caret-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n              <use xlink:href=\"#icon-caret-down\"\/>\n            <\/svg><br \/>\n          <\/a><br \/>\n                    <\/aside>\n<p>    <!-- tags --><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-author\">\n      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/team\/alexander-tin\/\" class=\"content-author__name\" data-invalid-url-rewritten-http=\"\">Alexander  Tin<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-author__bio\">\n<div class=\"content-author__full-information\">\n<p class=\"content-author__text\">Alexander Tin is a digital reporter for CBS News based in the Washington, D.C. bureau. He covers federal public health agencies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-6606220950177433\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- ItShrt World News -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-6606220950177433\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"1882483372\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"auto\"\r\n     data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbsnews.com\/news\/free-covid-tests-accuracy\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>2025 update:\u00a0This federal program has ended and free tests are not current available from the government website. Manufacturers of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22072,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[691],"class_list":["post-22071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-2","tag-covid-19"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Free COVID tests are back. 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