Free at-home COVID-19 test kits being handed out by Texas A&M starting tomorrow

January 12, 2022, 9:00 a.m. CST

Please read this update from Thursday, Jan. 13.

At-home COVID-19 test kits are being made available by Texas A&M University to all students, staff and faculty starting Thursday, Jan. 13. These easy-to-use tests will help identify positive COVID-19 infections while preserving in-person learning.

In addition to the at-home tests now available, the Aggie community can continue to be tested with the more sensitive PCR COVID-19 tests at one of several Curative on-campus kiosks.

For the home tests, we are asking students, faculty and staff to pick up no more than two boxes (two tests in each box) per week.

Steps to pick up your tests:

• Visit the request site, select College Station, then use your NetID to log on and fill out the form.
• After filling out the form, hit submit. A "receipt" will appear on screen with an assigned request number. It also will be emailed to your Texas A&M account. You will need to show that number when picking up the test kit. Don't lose it.

To read about the test - BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card - see this explanation from Student Health Services. Here's a video on how to perform the test.

Where to pick up:

The free self-test kits will be handed out at four locations starting Thursday: 

• Kyle Field: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  Outside gate of northeast activation tower

• Zachry Engineering Education Complex: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Virginia Brown Atrium (south entrance atrium) on first floor

• Wehner Building: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  Outside Room 113

• A.P. Beutel Student Health Center: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  Follow signage

Testing Tips:

Testing is one of many risk-reduction measures - along with vaccination, masking and physical distancing - that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following:

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for performing the self-test.
• If you test positive, you should isolate and inform your healthcare provider, as well as any close contacts.
• Before joining indoor gatherings with people not in your household, consider using a self-test.

 Testing on campus & vaccine info:

• Texas A&M will continue offering free Curative PCR testing, which is available across the main campus and off campus.
• The CDC has an interactive clinical assessment tool that assists individuals 13 and older, as well as parents and caregivers of children ages 2 to 12 on deciding when to seek testing or medical care.
• Public health officials strongly recommend individuals get fully vaccinated, which includes a booster.
• Check here for on-campus vaccine locations and here for off campus sites, including CVS, Walgreens and other stores. If you're not certain about when you should get the booster, the CDC explains it here.

For more updates at Texas A&M, check our guidance page or email the COVID-19 Operations Center at covidtest@tamu.edu.