More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail

WASHINGTON (AP)– Americans can purchase more complimentary COVID-19 tests online for home shipment.

The U.S. federal government is providing to send out another round of 4 at-home infection tests ahead of the normal rise in cases throughout the winter season holiday.

Anybody who did not purchase a batch of 4 COVID-19 tests in September can protect approximately 8 of them this time around beginning Monday at COVIDtests.gov. The U.S. Postal Service will provide them free of charge.

The federal government is sending by mail out the coronavirus tests as the the influenza season begins and a spike in RSV cases has actually been reported in some areas around the nation. COVID-19 hospitalizations were on the increase this fall however have actually remained stable in current weeks. Resistance from previous vaccinations and infections has actually kept case counts lower compared to other years.

The brand-new release of complimentary COVID-19 nasal swab tests likewise comes ahead of the very first winter season given that the pandemic began that insurance companies are no longer needed to cover the expense of them. Usually, at-home tests now cost $11 expense, according to an analysis by the not-for-profit health research study company KFF.

The Fda likewise authorized upgraded COVID-19 vaccines in September in the hopes of accelerating defense for Americans this winter season. The shots target an omicron descendant called XBB.1.5, changing older vaccines that targeted the initial coronavirus stress and a much earlier omicron variation. Shots are advised for everybody age 6 months or older, however uptake has actually been sluggish.

U.S. taxpayers have actually invested 10s of billions of dollars to establish COVID-19 tests, vaccines and treatments in the 3 years given that the pandemic begun.

For additional information, see The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.