COVIDTests.gov Reopens for Americans to Request At-Home COVID Test

Starting today, September 25, 2023, COVIDTests.gov will reopen for Americans to request free at-home COVID-19 tests. Each household will be eligible to receive four more free rapid antigen at-home tests delivered through the United States Postal Service.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the Biden administration is investing approximately $600 million into relaunching the website and funding 12 manufacturers to manufacture around 200 million new tests.

“The Biden–Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the US supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the HHS press release. “These critical investments will strengthen our nation’s production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.”

The funding allocation is spread across multiple states, including the following:

• New Jersey: $88.7 million for Access Bio and $28.7 million for Princeton BioMeditech
• California: $4.5 million for Advin, $86.4 million for CorDx, $167 million for iHealth, $31.4 million for Kwell Laboratories, and $28.6 million for Quidel
• Texas: $61.2 million for Azure
• Washington: $20.7 million for InBios
• Maryland: $49.5 million for Maxim Bio
• Pennsylvania: $5.7 million for OraSure Technologies
• Delaware: $20.5 million for Sekisui

“Manufacturing COVID-19 tests in the United States strengthens our preparedness for the upcoming fall and winter seasons, reduces our reliance on other countries, and provides good jobs to hardworking Americans,” added Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell. “ASPR’s investments in these domestic manufacturers will increase availability of tests in the future.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic since its start. The CDC COVID tracker has shown a rise in hospitalizations and deaths in the past few weeks. For example, between August 11, 2023, and Sept 9, 2023, there was a 7.7% increase in COVID-19-related hospital admissions. Of the 6,329,246 total hospital admissions, 20,538 occurred from September 3, 2023, to September 9, 2023.

Additionally, between July 29, 2023, and September 16, 2023, the CDC estimates a 12.5% increase in COVID-19 deaths, for 1,143,192 overall deaths in the US.

With free at-home tests, US citizens can monitor their infection status, informing their public health practices and mitigating disease spread. The HHS recommends that individuals take an at-home test if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, have been exposed to COVID-19 five or more days ago, or are going to a group gathering with people at risk for COVID-19.

Beyond testing, staying up to date on vaccinations and practicing good public health strategies, such as masking when sick, can help mitigate disease spread.