COVID-19: When Do I Need to Test?

If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it is that flexibility and a willingness to continuously adjust our goalposts are a must. Cue Omicron. As the newest variant with a name reminiscent of a Transformer spreads like wildfire, COVID-19 testing has struggled--and failed--to keep pace. To date, testing has been an important tool for detecting and limiting viral transmission. However, with rates of COVID-19 in the US skyrocketing (recent daily averages have topped over half a million), testing demand is far outstripping supply. As a result, many labs have been triaging COVID-19 tests, giving priority to those who are symptomatic, immunocompromised, or have other health issues. Likewise, pharmacies have had to place limits on the number of home test kits an individual can purchase in order to curtail panic stockpiling.

The scarcity has prompted President Biden to pledge that the government will purchase 1 billion at-home COVID-19 test kits and make them available, free of charge, to every American household. Online ordering will be available beginning January 19th (the beta version of the website rolled out a day early, on January 18th). There is a limit of four free kits per household. At-home test kits can be ordered online through the federal website: covidtests.gov. Orders will typically ship in 7-12 days. It is recommended to order the test kits now--even if you are not currently concerned about a possible COVID-19 exposure or infection--to be prepared if (and when) the need does arise for testing.

There is certainly hope ahead, with the government's free at home-tests rolling out and signs showing that Omicron may peak soon (and then, if it follows the same course it did in South Africa, quickly ebb). Currently, though, given our limited resources, we need to be mindful regarding when to test for COVID-19. A recent controversial piece in The Atlantic suggested that the healthiest and wealthiest Americans, those without symptoms or known exposures, should stop "wasting" COVID-19 tests on social engagements and other non-essential activities. On the other hand,  many experts point out that if mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic people are unable to easily secure tests they are likely to continue circulating in the population and increasing the transmission of COVID-19. Mandated testing, such as that required by workplaces, schools, and travel, is a different story as it leaves us little choice in the matter.