(Sept. 22, 2023) – On Sept. 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, announced an investment of $600 million across 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers and the reopening of COVIDTests.gov to deliver COVID-19 tests for free to households across the country. These critical investments in U.S. manufacturing will improve preparedness for COVID-19 and other future pandemic threats, strengthen the nation's capacity to manufacture tests and secure approximately 200 million new over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for future federal government use.
In addition to the investments in domestic manufacturing, beginning Sept. 25, households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov. These tests will detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants. People are encouraged to use the free tests as Americans prepare for travel and gatherings with friends and family throughout the 2023 holiday season.
In addition to inviting U.S. households to order four free COVID-19 tests, there are numerous other options to get tested for free, including free community-based testing sites, including pharmacies, across the country. ASPR also is distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks and other community locations to ensure communities have widespread access to tests. To learn more, people are encouraged to contact an HRSA health center, Test to Treat site or ICATT location near them to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.
--Ron Marshall