Say Yes! COVID Test
Many partners are familiar with the DOH Say Yes! COVID Test resource that provided at-home COVID-19 tests to Washington residents during January and February of 2022. To allow communities to more easily access tests on an ongoing basis, DOH implemented the following changes to the program effective March 1, 2022:
- Washington households can order two test kits per month. Each kit contains 5 tests, allowing households to secure 10 tests per month.
- If a household needs two kits, two separate orders must be submitted. A household can place two back-to-back orders or can order the second kit later in the month.
- The Say Yes! COVID Test website will be available in 37 languages by mid-March.
COVIDtests.gov
In January 2022, the federal government in partnership with USPS began providing free at-home COVID-19 testing kits to U.S. households. Due to demand, orders were limited to one test kit per household. The program was recently expanded to allow U.S. households to order a total of two test kits, each kit containing four tests. Households who have already received their first kit are eligible to order a second kit. Those who have not received any federal testing kits may order up to two kits, totaling eight at-home COVID-19 tests. To place a testing kit order, visit https://www.covidtests.gov/.
Operation Expanded Testing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) to improve access to testing resources for communities that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The OpET resource is a free federal program designed for “childcare centers, K-12 schools, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), under-resourced communities, and congregate settings, such as homeless shelters, domestic violence and abuse shelters, non-federal correctional facilities, and other qualified sites.” The DOH recommends this program especially for organizations serving children and youth (such as childcare centers and afterschool programs) or underserved high-congregate settings (such as homeless shelters and non-federal correctional facilities). To determine if your organization is eligible or to enroll your facility in the OpET program, visit https://letsendthistogether.com/. For eligible facilities, testing services are available through July 1, 2022. For more information, visit the CDC OpET webpage or email together@perkinelmer.com.
Testing Sites in Your Area
To secure a COVID-19 test in your area, consult the DOH directory of testing sites. A COVID-19 test may also be secured by contacting your physician and requesting an appointment. For those seeking additional support finding a COVID-19 test, call the 1-833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357) hotline and press #. Language assistance is available.
For more information about testing for COVID-19, visit https://doh.wa.gov/emergencies/covid-19/testing-covid-19.