Beginning on Thursday, Americans can request four more free COVID-19 tests via mail. The Biden administration is using it as part of a strategy to address a rise in COVID cases brought on by indoor Christmas festivities.
A senior administration official told reporters on a conference call that the tests can be obtained on COVIDtests.gov and will start to ship the week of December 19. When experiencing symptoms and before contacting family, the government advises people to self-test.
This year’s free quick testing is in its fourth round. When Congress rejected demands for additional financing for the programme, the White House said in September that it would be unable to give out any more kits. However, the person claimed that the administration moved money around to purchase more tests for the national stockpile.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “We know that the virus will propagate more swiftly and easily when people gather indoors for the winter holiday season.” After Thanksgiving, officials noticed an upsurge in instances, and they predict that there may be another after the December holiday festivities.
Additionally, tests are accessible through Medicare, at food banks, schools, and community testing centers. Private health insurance holders are eligible for full reimbursement for up to eight tests each month. During the winter, the federal government is attempting to make it simpler for Americans to receive COVID treatments like Paxlovid, diagnostics, and vaccinations.
It aims to assist states in setting up mobile and pop-up vaccination stations, and is storing supplies like ventilators and personal protective equipment.
The government intends to work to vaccinate inhabitants of nursing homes and long-term care institutions with the most recent booster injection and to treat those who contract the virus with Paxlovid.