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In an announcement on Friday, Oct. 4, the New York State Department of Health advised New Yorkers to order free rapid test kits, which are being offered to US households through the US Postal Service.
Each household can receive four at-home test kits, the government announced on Friday, Sept. 27.
"It couldn’t be easier; I ordered mine and the entire process took less than 30 seconds to complete," said New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald, who added, "As we head into respiratory illness season, arm yourself with the available tools – vaccines, testing and treatment.”
According to health officials, anyone with COVID symptoms should test immediately. On the other hand, those who have been exposed but aren't showing symptoms should wait at least five full days after exposure to test.
The kits being made available by the government are called antigen tests and provide results in 15 to 30 minutes. Positive results are "very accurate and reliable," officials said.
However, those testing should make sure their kits are not expired, as they may no longer be effective and won't detect the virus.
Those who want to order kits can click here to do so.
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