U.S. Government To Deliver Free COVID Tests
Federal health officials have announced that more free COVID-19 tests will soon be available to U.S. households as the summer surge in cases starts to wane and winter approaches. Beginning in late September, every household will be able to order up to four nasal swab tests through the federal program, though the exact start date has not yet been disclosed. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort by the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) to support public health. To date, the program has distributed over 900 million tests to American homes.
The newly available tests are designed to detect current strains of the virus and can be ordered in preparation for indoor gatherings during the holiday season. HHS emphasized the importance of testing in managing COVID-19 by helping individuals identify infections, access treatment, and prevent the spread of the virus.
This announcement comes shortly after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna for the fall season. Novavax’s updated vaccine is also anticipated to gain approval later this year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all individuals aged six months and older receive the new 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine.
Despite the significant decline in severe cases and deaths since the pandemic began, hospitalizations have started to rise again in recent weeks. Government data reveals that over 1 million Americans have died from COVID-19. Additionally, vaccine uptake has been relatively low, with less than 25% of U.S. adults getting last fall’s COVID-19 shots, underscoring the need for continued public health measures.
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