U.S. Households to Receive Free COVID-19 Tests Again

Households across the United States will once again have the opportunity to order free tests for COVID-19, as announced by officials on Friday. This initiative is part of the planning for the upcoming winter season, a time when respiratory illnesses typically experience higher levels.

A notice from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) indicated that new orders from the public will be accepted starting at the end of September. While no specific date was provided, it has been confirmed that every household in the U.S. will be eligible to receive four free COVID tests.

The COVID-19 tests being offered will detect current variants of the virus and can be utilized through the end of the year. The public may place orders on the designated website, which will be announced as soon as the program reopens.

Since its launch, the federal government’s program has successfully distributed over 900 million tests directly to American households. Those who previously ordered tests in earlier seasons will also be eligible for a new set of tests.

According to HHS, COVID-19 testing is crucial as it allows individuals to determine if they have the virus, enabling them to take necessary actions to reduce the risk of severe illness and minimize the chances of spreading the virus to others.

At-home COVID tests are designed for use at home or in other locations, delivering results in approximately 30 minutes. The U.S. is currently experiencing a summer wave of COVID-19, with last week reporting nearly 170,000 new cases and over 1,100 deaths, which is the highest count since March.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines tailored for the winter season. These updated vaccines target currently circulating variants and offer improved protection against serious illness and death.

Peter Marks, the director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, emphasized the importance of receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, noting waning immunity among the population due to previous exposures and vaccinations. He strongly encouraged those eligible to consider getting the new vaccine to enhance protection against currently circulating variants.