Test to Treat program: a follow up
Note: this is a sponsored post in support of Contract No 75N92022D00010
It’s respiratory season again! And we are seeing climbing rates of RSV, Influenza, and even Covid-19 - which will likely worsen in the aftermath of holiday travel.
The first question: is testing for Covid-19 even worth doing?
First question: is it even worth testing for Covid-19?
I think most people now feel hesitant to test for respiratory illnesses like Covid-19 because of the potential disruption it might cause to their lives.
This is understandable.
But the truth is, it’s still important to test for a range of reasons.
Here’s why.
Knowing whether or not you or your child have Covid-19 is important.
It can predict the expected course of your illness (and recovery), which also means it may be easier to identify if you have unusual or prolonged symptoms and to seek care. Especially for long Covid, it can be helpful to make sure you get diagnosed and treated quickly - and by the right specialists.
It can help determine exposures and exposure risk for others. Especially during a time of year when more people are gathering for the holidays (and indoors). Many of us are around grandparents, younger babies, or other higher-risk family members. Even though the majority of healthy adults and children will have only minor symptoms and recover fully, this isn’t always true of relatives and friends you spend time with.
Research. We still know very little about Covid-19 compared to many other pathogens, and continuing to gather data is helpful for the future.
Home Test to Treat
Last year, I highlighted a pilot program called Home Test to Treat, which improved healthcare access to those who might otherwise have not been able to get testing or treatment for Covid-19. Initial data is emerging from the program, highlighting its impact across the U.S. - take a closer look below!
The program has ended, but there are a few other resources that might be helpful if you are looking for support or access to testing and treatment.
Every household, regardless of insurance status, is eligible to order 4 free test kits: https://covidtests.gov
The CDC ICATT (Increasing Community Access to Testing for COVID-19) program continues to provide free testing to those who are uninsured.
The Paxcess Program provides access to treatment for eligible individuals through the end of 2024, either for free or at low cost.
The Find Covid-19 Medicines for Free website (run by HHS) allows you to search for locations providing testing and medications for those who are eligible.
I hope this post can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for testing or treatment resources in your area — and that it serves as a reminder that getting tested can still be important.
The Home Test to Treat program was funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N92022D00010.
