New At-Home COVID Test Delivers Accurate Results in 15 Minutes—Here’s Where to Get It Now

A late-summer spike in COVID-19 cases is sending Americans back to pharmacies and medicine cabinets in search of reliable COVID tests, as health officials confirm the rise of the “Stratus” (XFG) and LP.8.1 subvariants nationwide. Test-positivity reported by the CDC climbed to 8.9 percent in the week ending 9 August, up from 8.3 percent the previous week. Why demand is jumping • New symptoms such as “razor-blade throat,” night sweats and shorter incubation periods are making people test sooner after exposure. • Many workplaces and schools now require a negative at-home COVID test before returning from illness or travel. • Waste-water monitoring shows moderate viral activity in more than half of U.S. counties, a level not seen since early spring. Do at-home antigen kits still work? Yes. Independent lab validation and the FDA’s ongoing review indicate that authorized rapid antigen tests “should work against new COVID variants,” including XFG and LP.8.1. Experts caution, however, that viral loads appear to peak a day later with current strains, so testing on Day 2 and again on Day 3 after symptom onset improves accuracy. Check the expiration date Millions of boxes purchased during the 2023–24 season are nearing or past printed expirations. The FDA has issued shelf-life extensions of three to six months for most Abbott BinaxNOW, iHealth and Flowflex kits; the newest dates are posted on the agency’s website. An expired reagent can return false negatives, so toss any kit that shows discolored liquid or missing control lines. Where to get free or low-cost tests • Federal mail-order program: The White House confirmed that the free-test portal will reopen “before Labor Day,” allowing every household to request four additional kits. • Insurance reimbursement: Under the Public Health Emergency transition, private insurers must cover eight tests per insured member per month through 31 December 2025. • Community health centers and libraries: HRSA continues bulk distribution to 20,000 partner sites, focusing on rural counties and high-risk zip codes. • FSA/HSA eligibility: Over-the-counter COVID tests remain qualified medical expenses, potentially saving 20–30 percent if purchased with pre-tax funds. How to boost test accuracy 1. Wait at least 48 hours after exposure unless you develop symptoms sooner. 2. Swab both nostrils for 15 seconds each and swirl the swab in the test buffer for the full recommended time. 3. Read the result within the window specified by the manufacturer—usually 15–30 minutes. 4. If you test negative but symptoms persist, repeat the at-home COVID test after 48 hours or schedule a PCR test at a pharmacy clinic. 5. Store unused kits between 36 °F and 86 °F; high heat can degrade the reagents. When a positive result appears Isolate for at least five full days; mask for 10. Seek antiviral treatment within 48 hours if you are over 60, immunocompromised or have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart or lung disease. Telehealth platforms and many chain pharmacies offer same-day Paxlovid prescriptions. Bottom line COVID tests remain a critical early-warning tool as new variants circulate. Keeping fresh kits on hand—and knowing when and how to use them—can shorten illness, protect vulnerable friends and family, and help prevent another autumn surge.