PHILADELPHIA, December 16, 2022–The Philadelphia Department of Public Health encourages city residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19 this holiday season with free at-home test kits. In addition to already existing Health Department test giveaway sites, the federal government announced that starting today–households can order one set of four at-home tests from the federal government. Orders will be shipped free by the U.S. Postal Service beginning Monday.
“While the virus may not be as disruptive as it was this-time last year, COVID-19 continues to evolve, and cases are on the rise as people gather together for various holiday celebrations,” said Philadelphia Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole. “It’s important that we all do our part, not only–in protecting ourselves, but in protecting the health of our friends and loved ones. Get tested before attending any holiday parties, especially if you’ll be seeing older or immunocompromised people. If you test positive or just don’t feel well, please skip the gathering for everyone’s sake.”
The Health Department is continuing its Test for Your Guests campaign, which provides COVID-19 at-home test kits along with PCR and rapid antigen testing at multiple mobile testing units and resource hubs throughout the city.
You can pick up free rapid antigen home test kits at five Health Department resource hubs.
Mi Salud Wellness Center, 200 E. Wyoming Ave., 19120
Bethany Baptist Church, 5747 Warrington Ave., 19143
The Shoppes at La Salle, 5301 Chew Ave., 19138
Mt. Enon Baptist Church, 500 Snyder Ave., 19148
Whitman Plaza, 330 W. Oregon Ave., 19148
You don’t need to make an appointment, but daily schedules vary. Visit our testing calendar for details.
Free COVID-19 tests are also available from the federal government. Each household can receive four tests for free by filling out the form found on COVIDtests.gov.
The Health Department strongly recommends testing for people who have COVID-19 symptoms or suspect they have been exposed to someone who has the virus.
Testing is especially important during the winter months; and holidays when more people gather indoors. At-home COVID-19 tests are particularly useful when holiday calendars are full of parties and events because people receive results within minutes. Results from regular PCR tests can take days because they are processed in a lab. And remember that even if your test is negative, if you have symptoms, you should still stay home and mask near-elderly and immunocompromised people. Home tests are useful but not perfect, so you still want to be careful not to spread infections.
Elderly people and people who are immunocompromised are more susceptible to COVID-19 complications. Therefore, it is especially important to consider those people when getting together with family and friends.
For more information on where to get free COVID-19 tests or to get tested in person, please visit https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/find-a-covid-19-test/.
