Looking for free COVID tests as cases increase across the U.S.? Reported COVID cases have roughly doubled since recording a six-month low of 261,268 in mid-October 2022, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data (opens in new tab).
Nodding to this growing surge of cases, the White House yesterday announced its COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan, which includes a limited-time reopening of the federal government's widely used, free COVID test program.
According to Politico, Biden officials paused the program in early September over concerns it would deplete its test stockpile before winter. Without new funding from Congress, the White House contended it needed to preserve “limited remaining supply” for future COVID-19 surges. More than 600 million at-home tests had gone out to households across the country by the time the program was halted.
With COVID cases ticking back up, the administration has opened its stockpiles to Americans once again.
How to get free COVID tests The White House yesterday announced that COVIDTests.gov is open for a limited round of ordering. Any U.S. households can order up to four rapid at-home COVID tests, which will be mailed directly to them for free.
The administration will ship test orders for this round of testing beginning the week of Dec. 19 and continuing for the next several weeks. The administration will also make tests available to individuals who are blind or have low vision through this program. People who have difficulty accessing the internet or need additional support placing an order can call 1-800-232-0233 to get help in multiple languages.
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