(ReclaimingAmerica.net) – Even though the COVID-19 pandemic started four years ago and free kits have been distributed across the nation, U.S. officials announced that Americans can no longer order free at-home COVID-19 tests after today.
An Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) spokesperson told CNN:
“ASPR (Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response) has delivered over 1.8 billion free COVID-19 tests to the American people through COVID.gov and direct distribution pathways and will continue distributing millions of tests per week to long-term care facilities, food banks, health centers, and schools.”
Furthermore, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, all orders placed by Friday will get sorted, ASPR stated.
This change is connected to the decrease in COVID cases, with the public health emergency from the pandemic officially declared over in May 2023.
Yet, the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) data chart noted persistent high COVID-19 hospitalization rates. So, for those who are worried about the lethal virus and have not placed an order since Sept. 25, 2023, they can request two sets of four tests to receive a total of eight kits.
As these at-home kits land in people’s hands, some might notice an expired date on the packaging but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted extensions.
For instance, a box with an expiration date like “2022-10-08” will be shown as “2023-08-08.” Overall, these testing kits should function until the end of the year.
Although the spread of the infectious virus has simmered down, the CDC urged Americans to use these at-home kits if any COVID-19 symptoms, such as shortness of breath, cough, fever, or chills, pop up.
Unlike in the past, when COVID-19 led people to isolate themselves for a few days if they presented symptoms or infection, the CDC has rethought its approach.
A previous report unveiled the change and stated that “under the updated guidelines, the CDC says those infected with the coronavirus can return to work or the public just one full day after their fever subsides.”
CDC Agency Director Dr. Mandy Cohen reinforced the message, noting, “However, we still must use the commonsense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses — this includes vaccination, treatment, and staying home when we get sick.”
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