Here’s how and when to get the next round of free COVID-19 tests
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You will soon be able to get more free COVID-19 tests from the U.S. government, public health officials announced on Aug. 23.
While the U.S. is still in the midst of an ongoing summer surge, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are also anticipating another COVID-19 wave this winter, as we’ve seen in previous years.
Starting in late September, you can prepare for a spike in cases by ordering another round of COVID-19 tests through COVIDTests.gov. And, just like with previous rounds of free tests, they’ll be shipped to your home through the U.S. Postal Service.
“As families start to move indoors this fall and begin spending time with their loved ones, both very old and very young, they will once again have the opportunity to order up to four new COVID-19 tests free of charge, and have them sent directly to their homes,” Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, said during a call with reporters.
“These tests will help keep families and their loved ones safe this fall and winter season,” O’Connell said.
Since the program started in 2021, more than 900 million tests have been sent to households in the U.S. Another 900 million have been distributed to community centers such as food banks, libraries and long-term care facilities.
“We have quite a bit of supply in the Strategic National Stockpile available to support (sending out free COVID-19 tests), so we won’t have any inventory issues,” David Boucher, Ph.D., director of infectious disease preparedness and response at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, added on the call.
Tests like these, along with a newly updated COVID-19 vaccine and treatment options like Paxlovid, remain helpful tools in preventing the spread of the virus.
So, as we head into the fall and winter holiday season, don’t forget to order your free tests, O’Connell said. “And even more importantly, don’t forget to use these free tests when you are concerned that you or your loved one may have COVID. They will do no one any good sitting in your medicine cabinet.”
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 — sore throat, cough, congestion, fever, fatigue — you should take a test to help determine what illness you have and what treatment you might need. But keep in mind that you may need to repeat the test a few times over multiple days to get the most accurate results, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
You can also help make winter gatherings safer by taking a COVID-19 tests just before you arrive, experts told TODAY.com previously.
“Taking a quick test is a great way for all of us to keep our friends, family and loved ones protected as we gather to celebrate the holidays,” O’Connell said.
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