Free COVID tests will be available to order from government and USPS in September

U.S. households will soon be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests through the federal program, as stated on the website COVIDtests.gov. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not yet specified when ordering will begin, the tests will be available in time for the holiday season, when families and friends typically gather, according to an HHS spokesperson. These tests are designed to detect current strains of the virus.

As of last year, over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests generally cost about $11. The announcement coincides with the government's push for updated COVID-19 boosters ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season. Earlier this week, U.S. regulators approved a new COVID-19 vaccine that targets the latest virus strains, with the hope it will protect against forthcoming winter strains as well. However, vaccine uptake has declined. While most Americans have developed some immunity through prior infections or vaccinations, less than a quarter of U.S. adults received last fall’s COVID-19 booster.

To date, the Biden administration has distributed 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, with half sent directly to households by mail. It is not yet clear how many tests the government currently has in stock.