Find a pharmacy that offers free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests (2024)

FAQs

Where to get free COVID test kits in NJ? ›

Home test kits for COVID-19 are widely available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail locations. Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home at https://www.covid.gov/tests.

You can get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy if you're at risk of being seriously ill with COVID-19. You do not need an appointment but you'll need to show your pharmacy that you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments.

A: All at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests are labeled with an expiration date printed on the outer box or package. Generally, tests should not be used beyond this expiration date.

After a positive test result, you may continue to test positive for some time. Some tests, especially PCR tests, may continue to show a positive result for up to 90 days.

Even if mild symptoms remain, you are likely not contagious after 10 days. However, if you have a weakened immune system or severe illness (requiring hospitalization, intensive care or even intubation), you can be contagious for up to three weeks or more.

Test right away. If your first test is negative, test again 1-2 days later. Even if you don't feel sick, test after exposure and again 3-5 days after last exposure. Test just before visiting individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness (older adults or people with weakened immunity).

Mild to moderate illness from COVID-19 usually lasts an average of 10 days. For some people, symptoms fade in a matter of days; for others, it takes weeks.

COVID-19 Positive (SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detected) Test Result

If your COVID-19 test was positive, this means that the test did detect the presence of COVID-19 in your nasal secretions. This result would suggest that you are currently infected with COVID-19.

Specifically, its guidelines state that most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home while treating symptoms with OTC medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

What is the infectious period of COVID-19? ›

In general, a person who tests positive for COVID-19 may be infectious for up to 10 days but are most infectious in the 2 days just before their symptoms start, and while they have acute symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever). Most people infected with COVID-19 are still infectious after 5 days.

If you have recovered after testing positive for COVID-19, you may continue to test positive for three months or more without being contagious to others.

Ending isolation: You can end isolation after 5 days if you test negative (use an antigen test) on Day 5 or later – as long as you do not have a fever and your symptoms are getting better. If you still test positive on or after Day 5 or if you don't test, isolate for 10 full days, and until you don't have a fever.

False negatives can happen

“With any variant, someone could show up with a negative test for the first two days of symptoms, potentially, and then turn positive maybe on the third or fourth day,” said Dr. Volk.

COVID Testing (Same Day Rapid Results) - 3002 Mount Ephraim Avenue Camden, NJ | MinuteClinic.

COVID-19 Rapid Testing in Livingston, NJ

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, visit AFC Urgent Care Livingston today. Testing is available seven days a week, with results in minutes. Walk-ins are welcome and most insurance plans are accepted. For more information, please call (973) 601-2626.