Vermont COVID testing changes: Here's how to get a free take-home test

Free take-home COVID tests that offer rapid results are now available to Vermonters at many Health Department testing sites, according to the Vermont Department of Health.

The change in testing follows recent simplified guidance for what to do if you or someone you've been in contact with tests positive for COVID.

Starting on Wednesday, March 16, people making an appointment at a Health Department testing site can choose between take-home antigen tests, a take-home LAMP test or a PCR test.

Antigen tests can be used if you have COVID symptoms or if you come into contact with someone who does, and the Vermont Department of Health urges people to use both tests that come in a kit least 24 hours apart.

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An antigen test should be used if you tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, because the other test types may continue to read positive due to to the previous infection.

PCR and LAMP tests are both molecular tests, which detect genetic material within the COVID-19 virus.

LAMP tests are read through a small battery powered device, but a manually collected nasal swab is still required as it is for other antigen tests. 

The Health Department said a PCR test is needed if you are testing a child under 2 years old, or need a lab result letter for travel.

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Information explaining how to use each test can be found on the Department of Health's website: healthvermont.gov/covid-19/testing#testtype.

Residents are allowed up to four antigen test kits at each appointment, or eight tests total, as each kit contains two tests. However, only one LAMP test can be given per appointment.

Vermont's new recommendations come just before the White House announced Tuesday it may need to scale back the amount of free COVID resources for states due to a lack of funding from Congress, which will affect the amount of tests and vaccines available.

Congress stripped $15.6 billion in emergency funding that was slated to pay for coronavirus tests, more vaccines and anti-viral medications, according to the Washington Post.

The federal government is unable to purchase additional monoclonal antibody treatments and will run out of supply to send to states as soon as late May, according to a White House statement.

Summer Sorg is a reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at ssorg@freepressmedia.com.