Americans now have the opportunity to order COVID-19 tests at no cost, delivered directly to their homes. The U.S. government has relaunched the program, allowing households to request up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website covidtests.gov. These tests are set to be shipped via the United States Postal Service starting next week.
This initiative comes amidst a resurgence of COVID-19 cases during the summer and as the country approaches the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Health officials are advising individuals to get their updated COVID-19 booster shots and annual flu vaccines to stay protected.
An updated COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by U.S. regulators to combat recent and anticipated virus strains. Despite this, vaccine uptake has been declining, with less than a quarter of U.S. adults receiving last year's COVID-19 shot.
The at-home COVID-19 tests can help individuals detect current virus strains ahead of the upcoming season and holiday gatherings. Typically priced at around $11 each, these tests are now available free of charge. It's important to check the expiration date on any existing at-home tests, as many have received extended expiration dates beyond what is listed on the packaging.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, significant investments have been made by U.S. taxpayers in developing and acquiring COVID-19 tests and vaccines. The Biden administration has distributed 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, with half of them sent directly to households via mail. The current inventory of tests held by the government remains undisclosed.
