You will soon be able to get more free COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government, public health officials announced August 23.
While the United States is still in the midst of an ongoing summer wave, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are expecting another COVID-19 wave this winter, like the ones we have seen in previous years.
Starting in late September, you can prepare for a surge in cases by ordering another round of COVID-19 tests through COVIDTests.gov. And just like previous rounds of free tests, these will be delivered to your home through the U.S. Postal Service.
“As families return to their homes this fall and spend time with their loved ones, whether very old or very young, they will once again have the opportunity to order up to four new COVID-19 tests at no cost and have them shipped directly to their home,” said Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, in a call with reporters.
“This testing will help ensure the safety of families and their loved ones this fall and winter,” O’Connell said.
Since the program began in 2021, more than 900 million tests have been shipped to households across the U.S. Another 900 million have been distributed to community centers such as food banks, libraries and long-term care facilities.
“We have a pretty large supply available in the Strategic National Stockpile to support (sending free COVID-19 tests), so we’re not going to have any inventory issues,” added Dr. David Boucher, director of infectious disease preparedness and response at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, in the call.
Tests like these, along with a newly updated COVID-19 vaccine and treatment options like Paxlovid, remain helpful tools in containing the spread of the virus.
So don’t forget to order your free tests as we prepare for the fall and winter holiday season, O’Connell said. “And more importantly, don’t forget to take advantage of those free tests if you’re concerned that you or your loved ones may have COVID. They’re no good to anyone if they’re sitting in your medicine cabinet.”
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 — sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, fatigue — you should get a test to determine what illness you have and what treatment you may need. But keep in mind that you may need to repeat the test several times over several days to get the most accurate results, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
You can also help make winter events safer by getting tested for COVID-19 immediately before you arrive, experts previously told TODAY.com.
“Rapid testing is a great way for all of us to protect our friends, families and loved ones as we come together to celebrate the holidays,” O’Connell said.
This article was originally published on TODAY.com.
