Federal Government restarts COVID-19 testing initiative.

The federal government is set to⁤ launch a new program⁤ that will distribute free COVID-19 home test kits to​ Americans, according to the Department of Health⁢ and Human Services.⁣ HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra made the announcement during an event at a Washington CVS pharmacy, where he also‌ received​ COVID-19 and influenza vaccines. The program aims to ⁢provide Americans with the opportunity to request tests for use during the fall and winter respiratory viral season. This​ initiative will⁣ strengthen the nation’s production ‌levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.

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Starting September 25, orders for the free tests can be ‍placed at COVIDTests.gov, and they will be delivered by the⁢ United States Postal Service. The Department​ of Health and Human ‍Services plans to keep the website⁤ open through the holidays and potentially longer if there is an increase in cases. The focus is on ensuring that people ​can take‍ a test if they plan to visit their loved ‍ones during Thanksgiving.

The tests are ⁢designed to detect COVID-19 variants and will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates. Twelve manufacturers have been awarded funding to ‍produce 200 million over-the-counter tests for government⁤ use ​and to meet ⁢the demand for tests ordered online. This⁤ will help prevent supply chain issues that have caused shortages ⁤in the past.

This program follows four previous rounds‍ where ⁤over 755 million tests were‍ provided for free to homes nationwide. It also ⁣aims to send free COVID-19 tests ‍to long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, and uninsured individuals.

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control‍ and Prevention (CDC), hospitalizations for COVID-19 ‌have increased by ⁢about 7.7 percent ⁤across the​ United States. However, this figure is significantly lower than during the peak of ⁤the pandemic.

Will Mandates‍ Return?

Wednesday’s ⁤announcement ‌from HHS did not mention any mandates. ‍However, there​ are concerns that masking or COVID-19 vaccine mandates⁢ may be reintroduced in ⁢certain settings. Some hospitals, schools, and private businesses⁤ have already made ⁤masking mandatory. For example, the Baystate Health system in‍ Massachusetts⁣ now requires masks in ‍patient care areas, and the University of Chicago Medical Center‌ has implemented​ mask mandates for workers in direct contact with patients.

It is important to stay​ updated on the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and follow ⁤the guidelines provided by health authorities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Where can individuals ‌request free COVID-19‌ home test kits?

Free COVID-19 home test kits will be accepted through the program’s website, covidtest.gov. The kits will be shipped directly to individuals’⁤ homes at⁣ no cost. The ⁣initiative ⁢aims to make testing more accessible and convenient for Americans, particularly during the upcoming fall and winter seasons when ⁣respiratory viruses tend to be more prevalent.

The distribution of free home test kits is a crucial step in the federal government’s efforts to control‌ the spread of COVID-19. By allowing individuals to request tests for ⁣personal⁢ use, this program empowers Americans to⁤ take proactive‌ measures in monitoring their health and the health of those around ‌them.

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra stressed the importance of testing as a tool to⁤ mitigate the​ spread of the ⁤virus. He highlighted that early detection through testing enables individuals to⁣ take appropriate measures to prevent further transmission and protect vulnerable populations.

This initiative also aims to strengthen the nation’s production ⁤levels of‍ domestic​ at-home COVID-19 rapid tests. By increasing production and distribution, the federal government aims to ⁣ensure ⁢that an ample supply of these ‌tests is available to meet the testing ‌needs⁤ of the American population.

The announcement of ‍this program follows recent concerns over the Delta variant and its potential to cause a surge in COVID-19⁣ cases. As the nation prepares for the fall⁢ and winter⁣ seasons, there is a ‍need for​ increased testing capacity to ‌identify and isolate positive cases promptly.

By ⁤making free home test ⁣kits readily available to Americans, the‌ federal government⁣ hopes to ‍encourage widespread testing‌ and early detection of COVID-19‍ cases. This ​will not only help individuals make informed decisions about their health but also contribute to overall public health efforts in‌ controlling the spread of the virus.

The‌ program’s​ website, covidtest.gov, ‍will serve as the primary platform for ​individuals to request test kits. It will also provide information on how to⁢ use the kits correctly ⁤and interpret the results accurately. Additionally, the website will emphasize the importance of following appropriate public health guidelines even ​after testing ⁣negative.

In⁤ conclusion, the federal government’s launch of a new program to distribute free​ COVID-19 home test‌ kits is ⁤a significant step towards increasing testing accessibility and mitigating the spread of the virus. ⁢By empowering individuals⁢ to take charge of their⁢ health and providing them with the ⁢necessary tools, this program ⁣aims to strengthen the⁢ nation’s testing capabilities and promote early detection and containment of COVID-19 cases. As we navigate the‍ ongoing pandemic, widespread testing remains crucial in our collective efforts to protect public health and ⁤ensure a safe future for all Americans.

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