Households in the United States will have the opportunity to order free COVID-19 tests again, as announced by officials on Friday. This initiative is part of preparations for the upcoming winter months when respiratory illnesses typically peak.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that new orders will be accepted starting at the end of September, although a specific date has yet to be provided. Each household will be eligible to receive four complimentary COVID tests.
According to HHS, “The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year,” with orders available on COVIDtests.gov once the program reopens.
Since its inception, the federal government’s program has distributed over 900 million tests to American households. Individuals who ordered tests in previous seasons will again be eligible for a new supply.
HHS emphasized the importance of testing, stating that it helps individuals determine if they have COVID-19, which can guide them in seeking treatment to mitigate the risk of severe illness and prevent the spread of the virus to others.
At-home COVID tests can be administered at home or in other settings, offering results within 30 minutes.
The U.S. is currently experiencing a summer increase in COVID-19 cases, with nearly 170,000 new cases and over 1,100 deaths reported last week—the highest figures since March. During this period, no free tests were available through the federal government’s website.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and granted emergency use authorization for updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the winter season. These updated vaccines target circulating variants and are designed to provide enhanced protection against severe illness and death.
Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, urged eligible individuals to consider getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine, pointing to the waning immunity in the population from previous infections and vaccinations.