Current:Home > InvestGovernment announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost -MoneyStream
Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
View
Date:2025-04-17 08:37:40
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! (35)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- 1 of 3 killed in Nevada prison brawl was white supremacist gang member who killed an inmate in 2016
- Steve McMichael, battling ALS, inducted into Hall of Fame in ceremony from home
- More US schools are taking breaks for meditation. Teachers say it helps students’ mental health
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Paris Olympics highlights: Simone Biles, Katie Ledecky win more gold for Team USA
- Olympic Athletes' Surprising Day Jobs, From Birthday Party Clown to Engineer
- Vanderpump Rules' Scheana Shay Slams Rude Candace Cameron Bure After Dismissive Meeting
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- TikTok sued by Justice Department over alleged child privacy violations impacting millions
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Coca-Cola to pay $6 billion in IRS back taxes case while appealing judge’s decision
- What that killer 'Trap' ending says about a potential sequel (Spoilers!)
- Why M. Night Shyamalan's killer thriller 'Trap' is really a dad movie
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- When does Simone Biles compete next? Olympics beam finals on tap
- Tropical Glaciers in the Andes Are the Smallest They’ve Been in 11,700 Years
- When does Katie Ledecky swim next? Details on her quest for gold in 800 freestyle final
Recommendation
Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
Emily Bader, Tom Blyth cast in Netflix adaptation of 'People We Meet on Vacation'
Minnesota Settles ‘Deceptive Environmental Marketing’ Lawsuit Over ‘Recycling’ Plastic Bags
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scratches from 100m semifinal
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
The 20 Best Amazon Fashion Deals Right Now: $7.40 Shorts, $8.50 Tank Tops, $13 Maxi Dresses & More
Forecasters expect depression to become Tropical Storm Debby as it nears Florida’s Gulf Coast
Katie Ledecky swims into history with 800 freestyle victory at the Paris Olympics