Following a surge in COVID-19 cases during the summer, Americans will soon have the opportunity to receive free virus test kits delivered to their homes. The federal program, set to reopen in late September, will allow U.S. households to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests through COVIDtests.gov. While an exact date for ordering has not been announced by the U.S. Health and Human Services agency, individuals will be able to detect current virus strains in preparation for the upcoming holiday season gatherings.
Typically priced at around $11 each, over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests have been a valuable tool in monitoring the spread of the virus. The government's initiative to provide free test kits aligns with efforts to encourage testing and vaccination uptake, especially as the fall and winter respiratory virus season approaches.
As part of the broader strategy to combat COVID-19, U.S. regulators recently approved an updated vaccine designed to target emerging virus strains. Despite ongoing vaccination efforts, data indicates that a significant portion of the population has not received the recommended booster shots. The Biden administration has already distributed 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, with a substantial portion being sent directly to households via mail.
While the number of deaths and severe infections has decreased significantly since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, recent upticks in hospitalizations serve as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by the virus. With more than 1 million Americans having lost their lives to COVID-19, public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of testing, vaccination, and adherence to safety protocols.
