U.S. households will be eligible to order up to four free tests via the website COVIDTests.gov this month
These tests are calibrated to detect current COVID-19 variants and will come with explicit instructions for verifying extended expiration dates. They are slated for use through December 2023.
According to the announcement, the relaunch of COVIDTests.gov is part of an ongoing effort that has seen the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the United States Postal Service distribute more than 755 million free tests. In addition to this, 500 million tests have been allocated to various facilities and communities including long-term care homes, low-income senior housing, and uninsured individuals.
Dawn O'Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, emphasized the importance of these initiatives, saying they are vital for "strengthening our preparedness for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, reducing our reliance on other countries, and providing good jobs to hardworking Americans."
As part of the strategy to bolster the nation's preparedness against COVID-19 and future pandemics, 12 companies across seven states have been awarded funding. Among these are Access Bio in New Jersey, which received $88.7 million; iHealth in California with a $167 million allocation; and Sekisui in Delaware, awarded $20.5 million.
Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra lauded the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts, stating, "In partnership with domestic manufacturers, we have made significant progress in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing. These critical investments will elevate our nation's domestic production levels of at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and contribute to controlling the spread of the virus."
