Current:Home > ScamsGovernment announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost -EquityExchange
Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
View
Date:2025-04-11 18:14:09
WASHINGTON (AP) —
On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September.
U.S. households will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to the website, COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Health and Human Services agency that oversees the testing has not announced an exact date for ordering to begin.
The tests will detect current virus strains and can be ordered ahead of the holiday season when family and friends gather for celebrations, an HHS spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year.
The announcement also comes as the government is once again urging people to get an updated COVID-19 booster, ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Earlier this week, U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, hopefully, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but data shows under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the feds have on hand.
Tens of billions of tax-payer dollars have been used to develop COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments.
Although deaths and serious infections have dropped dramatically since COVID-19 started its U.S. spread in 2020, hospitalizations have started to slightly creep up in recent weeks. In total, more than 1 million Americans have died from the virus.
veryGood! (4435)
Related
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- What to know about Elijah McClain’s death and the cases against police and paramedics
- A climate tech startup — and Earthshot Prize finalist — designs new method to reduce clothing waste
- WeWork files for bankruptcy in a stunning downfall from its $47 billion heyday
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Have Not Been Invited to King Charles III's 75th Birthday
- Wife plans dream trip for husband with terminal cancer after winning $3 million in lottery
- The Best Gifts for Celebrating New Moms
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- 'Dancing With the Stars' to honor Taylor Swift with a night of 'celebration'
Ranking
- 2 killed, 3 injured in shooting at makeshift club in Houston
- Tatcha Flash Sale: Score $150 Worth of Bestselling Skincare Products for Just $79
- Ethics agency says Delaware officials improperly paid employees to care for seized farm animals
- What to know about Elijah McClain’s death and the cases against police and paramedics
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- Bronny James, Zach Edey among 10 players to know for the 2023-24 college basketball season
- WeWork files for bankruptcy in a stunning downfall from its $47 billion heyday
- Suspect killed and officer shot in arm during Chicago shootout, police say
Recommendation
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
Jewish man dies after confrontation during pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations
Priscilla Presley Shares Why She Never Remarried After Elvis Presley's Death
Nevada high court postpones NFL appeal in Jon Gruden emails lawsuit until January
Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
'Tiger King' star pleads guilty to conspiring to money laundering, breaking federal law
Israel-Hamas war crowds crisis-heavy global agenda as Blinken, G7 foreign ministers meet in Japan
22 UN peacekeepers injured when convoy leaving rebel area hit improvised explosive devices, UN says