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COVID-19: Get Tested

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. Visit this Health and Human Services website for more information or place an order. Before you throw out "expired" tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.


Do you have COVID-19 symptoms? Have you been exposed to COVID-19? If your answer is “yes” to either of these questions, it’s time to get tested, even if you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

No matter your vaccination status, you should get tested if you were exposed to COVID-19 or if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.

  • Get tested immediately if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Get tested after being exposed to COVID-19. Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should get tested five days after exposure to someone with COVID-19.
  • You may need to be tested before or after you travel, even if you are up to date with current vaccine recommendations.
  • Consider getting tested before going to a public event or getting together with friends and family.

While you wait for your COVID-19 test results, stay home and monitor your symptoms to protect yourself and your loved ones.

For more information about COVID-19 testing, visit: COVID-19 Testing: You Need to Know | CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

There are many ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Wisconsin:

  • Contact a doctor or primary health care provider, pharmacy, or your local community health center to see if they offer testing. Local or tribal health departments can also help you find testing sites near you.
  • Self-tests are also available for purchase over-the counter at pharmacies and online.
  • The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has offered this guidance for people seeking tests after the public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023.

If your COVID-19 test is positive, it means the virus was detected and you have an infection. Isolate and take precautions including wearing a well-fitting mask to protect others from getting sick.

If your COVID-19 test is negative, it means the test did not detect the virus and you likely do not have COVID-19 at this time.

For more information about what your COVID-19 test result means, visit: COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know | CDC

COVID-19 self-tests (also called an at-home test or over-the-counter test) are a type of COVID-19 test that you can use anywhere. Self-tests are easy to use and produce rapid results.

For more information about COVID-19 self-testing, visit: Self-Testing At Home or Anywhere | CDC

If you have at-home tests that appear to have expired, do not discard them! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may have granted an extension of the expiration date. Please visit the FDA website to find the current list of EUA authorized at-home tests and their expiration date information.

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Testing support resources for specific settings

Last revised January 22, 2024