Between the “explosive diarrhea” parasite, ongoing wildfires and whatever current mess the president is up to — you’d think the universe could give us a break. Unfortunately, for us, research shows that COVID typically rises in the summer, and this year, it’s happening again. According to today’s HuffPost reporting, recent health tracking data from the CDC is showing that while still relatively low, COVID-19 rates are currently rising, primarily in wastewater testing in the South and the West Coast. The days of free home tests are long over, so it’s smart to keep some on hand — especially when this set of five at-home rapid COVID tests is 40% off. But you have to act fast; it’s a ⚡️lightning deal⚡️ that’s sure to end soon.
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In previous HuffPost reporting, experts said COVID rates typically peak in August. This pack includes five standard nasal swab kits from iHealth, an FDA-authorized, over-the-counter rapid test brand.
According to Dr. Susan Kline, a professor of infectious diseases and international medicine at the University of Minnesota, this current spike isn’t a huge surprise. “If you look back over the last few years … the lowest rates across the country are usually late June, early July, and then in August you start to see this increase in rates,” Kline previously told HuffPost.
“And last year there was actually a peak in late August, going into mid-September. And we don’t know for sure if that’s going to be replicated this year, but it is a possibility.”
Dr. Neil Maniar, a professor of public health at Northeastern University in Boston, added that this rise can be associated with summer travel, as people are spending more time in confined places with crowds.
While it’s not a perfect fix, at-home testing lets you know what’s going on with your body, helping you make more informed decisions for yourself and others. “The other thing I would recommend is if you’re ill with symptoms of respiratory tract infection [coughing, sneezing, sore throat], it’s best to stay home so you don’t spread it to other people,” Kline said.
These four-step tests are easy to perform at home.
First, insert the nasal swab about 3/4 of an inch into one nostril and rotate it in circles to collect a sample, then repeat with the other nostril.
Next, open the liquid solution, pour it into the test’s provided vial and swirl the swab inside the vial 15 times.
After that, place the dropper cap on the vial and squeeze exactly three drops of the liquid onto the rapid test. Wait 15 minutes, then read the result to see if it’s positive or negative. Simple, easy and (mostly) effortless.
These COVID-19 tests won’t be on sale long, so grab a pack (or two!) today. And if you want to know more, here’s what recent happy buyers had to say:
“Delivered same day, Thank You Amazon! Tests are straightforward with easy-to-follow instructions. My spouse & I both took the test within the same hour that they were received. Thank God, our results were negative! I would definitely recommend this Covid – 19 Home Test to anyone needing to know if they have the disease.” — Dennis
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“I’ve purchased the iHealth COVID-19 tests several times, and they’ve never let me down. The instructions are clear and simple to follow, the results come in about 15 minutes, and the app makes it super easy to report or store results if needed.
The packaging is clean and organized everything you need is included and individually sealed. I like that it doesn’t require any complicated setup or extra tools. The nasal swab is gentle but effective, and I really trust the accuracy.
Perfect for peace of mind before family gatherings, travel, or when you’re feeling unsure. Highly recommend keeping a few boxes on hand!” — Tammy S.“This had a very easy to understand booklet and I was able to take this test and have results within 17 mins. (About 2 mins to “do” the test and 15 min wait).” — CozyCottager
“I travel around the country to race my bike. Because the new COVID-19 variant (BA.3.2) is spreading, I need the iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test kit to check if I have SARS-CoV-2. Getting quick results allows me to isolate myself from my teammates and other racers if needed.” — Kittie D. Weston-Knauer
Looking for comfort and safety items to aid you through summer travel? Here are some recommendations to keep nearby, courtesy of HuffPost Shopping.
A 25-pack of NIOSH-approved N95 masks (12% off)
Masks are another thing that you may need to replenish. These 4-layer N95 masks were tested and certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for filtering out at least 95% of airborne particles, according to the NIOSH database. The two inner layers are made with a melt-blown cloth for more effective small particle capture. In addition to helping block viruses and airborne diseases, reviewers use them for better breathing during wildfires. Hit the coupon for 12% off.
A contoured sleeping mask to really block the light (10% off)
A quality eye mask will serve you well while traveling and at home. And, if you’re feeling under the weather, you can use it to keep out light, letting you rest and sleep in the daytime. This soft, molded bestseller “provides 100% blackout, even in a brightly lit room,” reviewers say, and is designed with extra space between the mask and your eyeballs to not add too much pressure. And it’s 10% off for Prime Members.
A handy natural disinfectant spray (35% off)
This Briotech hypochlorous acid spray was previously recommended to HuffPost by a dermatologist as a more affordable swap for the popular Tower 28 SOS spray. Hypochlorous acid is a soothing, potent antimicrobial that gently calms inflammation on skin while serving as a natural disinfectant. This spray is formulated with deionized water, pure salt and hypochlorous acid to gently yet effectively soothe irritated, red skin. It’s also popular for healing piercings.
Promising review: “Hypochlorous acid is a great and safe sanitizer, antiseptic, and antibacterial. It’s been around for a long time (your body has it naturally too!) and it has come back into vogue. I spray this on my face so the bacteria doesn’t build up and cause zits and blocked pores. Sprayer works well too. Just a good addition for any household.” — nlroundabout
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)
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The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
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