Households across the United States will once again be eligible to order free tests for COVID-19, officials said on Friday, part of planning for the upcoming winter season when respiratory illnesses tend to be at their highest levels.
Eligibility and Timing
Beginning at the end of September, all U.S. households will be eligible to order 4 free COVID tests. Specific details about the exact date for ordering have not been provided.
Importance of COVID Testing
The COVID-19 tests provided can detect current variants and will remain usable throughout the end of the year, emphasizing the importance of testing in managing health risks.
History of the Program
Since the initiation of the free testing program, over 900 million tests have been distributed to American households, reflecting the high demand for COVID testing resources.
Current COVID-19 Situation
The U.S. is experiencing a summer wave of COVID-19 with significant new case counts and deaths, highlighting the continuing need for accessible testing.
FDA Approval of Updated Vaccines
Recently, the FDA approved updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for the winter, which better protect against currently circulating variants as immunity wanes.
