Great demand for at-home COVID test kits leads to price gouging

test kits for COVID
Home COVID test kits distributed in Florida. Photo credit Joe Raedle/Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Hunting for at-home COVID-19 tests has become the new norm, and while retailers struggle to restock some entrepreneurs are taking advantage.

A BinaxNow at-home COVID test kit usually runs about $25, but a few Craigslist Chicago posts show these same tests selling for as much as $60.

The Illinois Department of Public Health recommends buying the tests directly from a pharmacy to avoid testing scams and price-gouging.

Spokesperson Melaney Arnold said it’s also worth the wait to visit one of the state’s free community-based testing sites.

A list of locations can be found online at dph.illinois.gov/covid19.

IDPH also plans to launch additional testing sites starting in January to help meet the demand.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images