Starting in late September, Americans can once again order free COVID-19 test kits to be delivered to their homes. The initiative, detailed on COVIDtests.gov, allows households to request up to four nasal swab tests. However, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to specify the exact date when orders will open.
The home tests will detect current variants of the virus and are particularly timely as they can be ordered in preparation for the holiday season, a period when many people will gather with family and friends. Typically, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests retail for about $11, based on prices from the previous year.
This announcement coincides with the government’s renewed push for Americans to get the updated COVID-19 booster shot in anticipation of the fall and winter respiratory season. Recently, U.S. regulators authorized an updated vaccine targeting recent virus strains, as well as anticipated variants for the winter. Despite this, vaccination rates are declining, with fewer than 25% of U.S. adults having received last fall’s COVID-19 booster shot, although many have immunity from prior infections or vaccinations.
The Biden administration has distributed a total of 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, with half of those sent directly to households by mail. It remains unclear how many tests are currently available for distribution.
Significant taxpayer funds have been allocated to the development of COVID-19 tests, vaccines, and treatments. While the rate of deaths and severe infections has significantly decreased since the virus first spread in the U.S. in 2020, there has been a recent, slight increase in hospitalizations. To date, more than 1 million Americans have succumbed to the virus.