November 21st 2023.
The Biden administration is taking extra steps to stay ahead of a potential surge in COVID-19 cases this winter. According to The Hill, they have initiated a second round of free at-home tests, available through Covidtests.gov. As of Nov. 20, households can request up to four tests, while those who did not order in September are eligible for eight.
The U.S. government, through the Department of Health and Human Services, has distributed over 1.6 billion free COVID-19 tests to the public. HHS has also provided over 4 million free tests weekly directly to various facilities, such as long-term care centers, schools, community health centers, and food banks. The direct mailing program, which was halted in May but reinstated in September when Xavier Becerra confirmed supplies had been replenished, is part of the effort to ensure Americans can monitor and manage their health during these uncertain times.
Market prices for at-home rapid COVID-19 tests average around $11 per test. This comes after recent data suggested that COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths, and emergency department visits have stabilized following an earlier surge in the fall. Yet, many Americans are still reluctant to get the latest COVID-19 vaccine. According to a KFF survey, half of all adults nationally indicated they would not get the vaccine, citing concerns about virus contraction.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that just under 15 percent of adults have received an updated shot, though the accuracy of the tracking is limited. The availability of free at-home tests, however, is a way for the Biden administration to help curb the potential winter increase in cases, which is usually a bad time for the flu. By giving households the opportunity to monitor their health, the Biden administration is striving to empower individuals and contribute to the overall safety of the nation.
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