US households can now order four free Covid tests from the government – latest guidelines

Maggie O'Neill

Wed, September 27, 2023 at 5:58 AM UTC

24 min read

New Covid boosters from Pfizer and Moderna are now available at pharmacies nationwide, and the US has restarted its free Covid test program.

Tests can be ordered from COVIDTests.gov; you can order four per household.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are recommending one dose of the updated vaccine for everyone six months and older in the US; some children may be eligible for up to three doses depending on their age and previous vaccination status.

Hospitalisations and deaths rose steadily during the last weeks of summer, and global health authorities are monitoring two new variants, BA.2.86, known as Pirola, and EG.5, known as Eris.

First reported in February, Eris is now responsible for nearly 25 per cent of Covid cases in the US, per CDC data.

Some experts are urging Americans to wear a mask when necessary to slow the spread of the virus.

CDC Covid tracker

19,674 hospitalisations from 10 September to 16 September

Key Points

How to get free Covid tests from the government
You should see a doctor for Covid if you develop these symptoms
Everything we know about the latest round of Covid boosters, including how to book an appointment
Covid exposure guidelines 2023: What to know

Covid drug linked to virus mutations, new study shows

Tuesday 26 September 2023 18:30 , Maggie O’Neill

A study published in Nature has found that an antiviral medication called Molnupiravir, which has been “widely used against SARS-CoV-2”, may be inducing virus mutations.

If patients who take the drug “do not clear” the virus, this could lead to increased transmission, the study found.

The study authors said public health authorities should continue to investigate the safety of the drug.

How long you should wear a mask after being exposed to Covid, per the CDC

Tuesday 26 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

If you’re exposed to Covid and you subsequently test negative, you should still take certain precautions to protect those around you, in case your test provided a false result.

Namely, you should wear a mask for 10 full days following the exposure, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). You shouldn’t go out in public without a face covering, the agency says.

You should also monitor yourself for fever, shortness of breath, cough, and other Covid symptoms.

Free Covid tests from the government may be expired, but you shouldn’t throw them out

Tuesday 26 September 2023 10:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Americans can now order four free at-home tests from the US government at COVIDTests.gov.

But some of the tests may be past their original expiration dates when they arrive, the website warns.

If this happens to you, you shouldn’t throw out the new tests, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed them safe to use. “Tests may show ‘expired’ dates on the box, but FDA has extended those dates,” the website says.

The agency has provided a list of all products that have received extended expiration dates here.

Before throwing out any Covid tests that appear to be expired—either the new ones you receive from the government or old ones you find stashed in your home—you should check to see if the products are on the list and, thus, still safe to use. If you find expired products that are not on the FDA’s list—or have passed the extended expiration date—they are not safe to use.

American Medical Association official explains why it’s crucial to get vaccinated against Covid this year

Tuesday 26 September 2023 05:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Immunity from past infections and vaccinations may not provide you with the protection you need against Covid this cold and flu season, according to an official with the American Medical Association (AMA).

“New Covid variants have emerged. Vaccine and infection-induced immunity is beginning to wane, [and] this new vaccine will increase our immune response against circulating variants,” Dr Sandra Fryhofer, AMA liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in a recent interview.

Dr Fryhofer explained that health authorities, including the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), believe the new vaccine is the best option for protecting yourself against new variants. “Vaccine manufacturers say they should [provide protection], so does FDA,” she said. “In fact, FDA went on record saying studies suggest the new vaccines are a good match against circulating strains.”

Some people may want to space out their vaccines, FDA official says

Tuesday 26 September 2023 00:00 , Maggie O’Neill

A top-ranking official at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently said he may space out his influenza and Covid vaccines, even though it’s safe to get both at the same time, per reporting from CBS News.

“Some people are saying, ‘Well, could I get RSV, Covid, and the flu vaccine on the same day?’” Dr Peter Marks, director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research at the FDA, said in a recent call with stakeholders. “Yes, indeed, you could. But, honestly, I might not.”

Dr Marks went on to explain that he recommends spacing out the vaccines—for people who live near a pharmacy—in order to lessen side effects like fever or fatigue.

This may not be a good option for people in rural areas, though, Dr Marks said. “I might just want to space them out a little bit,” he explained. “But if you had to drive a lot of miles to get the vaccines, then it might not be unreasonable to get all three of them [Covid, flu, and RSV] at once.”

Americans can now order free Covid tests from the government

Monday 25 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Starting today, Americans can order free Covid tests from the government. All households are eligible for four tests; orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov.

To place an order, you need only to input your address and contact information.

President Biden receives updated Covid vaccine

Monday 25 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

President Biden received the updated Covid vaccine, now available in pharmacies nationwide, as well as his flu shot, according to a White House statement from the physician to the president.

The statement reiterated that almost all Americans are eligible for both shots.

“As we enter the cold and flu season, the President encourages all Americans to follow his example and to check with their healthcare provider or pharmacist to assure that they are fully vaccinated,” the statement said.

Biden administration awards millions to Covid test manufacturers

Monday 25 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Biden administration has awarded $600 million to Covid test manufacturers across the country, per the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

You should see a doctor for Covid if you develop these symptoms

Monday 25 September 2023 12:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Not everyone infected with Covid develops symptoms. But certain warning signs should prompt a visit to a hospital or urgent care centre.

According to Mass General Brigham, severe trouble breathing; new dizziness or confusion; persistent pressure or pain in the chest; inability to stay awake; and discoloration of the skin, nail beds, or lips all signal that you need emergent help.

Some counties in California are reinstating mask guidelines

Monday 25 September 2023 07:00 , Maggie O’Neill

As deaths and hospitalisations from Covid continue to rise, some California counties are requiring masks in certain settings again, NBC Bay Area reports.

Many counties will require people to mask in public areas like healthcare centres or jails, and some counties have said that people must wear masks in businesses, government offices, or public transportation hubs that require them.

Public health authorities urge Americans to stay home if they are sick

Monday 25 September 2023 02:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Staying home if you suspect you are ill will be crucial in reducing cases of respiratory viruses this year, experts say.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says people should stay home—even from work—if they’re experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

The agency also encourages employers to “review and communicate their sick leave policies and practices to employees every year before flu season begins” to make sure employees know what they’re allowed to do when they’re ill.

Experts say it’s fine to get flu and Covid vaccines together

Sunday 24 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

For those looking to minimise trips to the pharmacy, it is okay to get both the Covid and flu shots at the same time, public health authorities say.

How to get free Covid tests from the government

Sunday 24 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The federal government is restarting its mail-order Covid test program, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week.

Biden is restarting the free Covid test program. Here’s how to get one

Pandemic babies may have altered gut bacteria, study finds

Sunday 24 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Infants whose first year was spent during the pandemic have “fewer types of bacteria in their gut”, a report funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has found.

The authors noted that the differences observed in the pandemic babies could be due to “the social changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with infants potentially experiencing more time at home, less time in daycare interacting with other children, increased hygiene in the environment, changes to diet and breastfeeding practices, and increased caregiver stress”.

It’s too soon to say what this could mean for babies born during the pandemic, a press release on the new research says: “The authors say that…speculating on the health implications of gut microbiome differences should be done with caution.”

Singapore man jailed for deliberately exposing colleagues to Covid-19

Sunday 24 September 2023 12:00 , Maggie O’Neill

A 64-year-old man in Singapore was sentenced to two weeks in jail after deliberately coughing at two of his colleagues after testing positive for Covid. He wasn’t wearing a mask at the time.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports:

Man jailed for coughing at colleagues while Covid positive

Some patients with insurance are being denied free Covid vaccines

Sunday 24 September 2023 07:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Government and private health insurance plans, including Medicare, are required to cover Pfizer and Moderna updated boosters for free.

But some people are reporting difficulties getting insurance to pay for their shot, per reporting from CNBC.

Some have complained on social media, explaining they were charged up to $190 for the vaccine, which reduces the chances of getting severely ill or dying from Covid-19.

Northeastern University given $17.5 billion to help prevent next pandemic

Sunday 24 September 2023 02:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave Northeastern University $17.5 billion to open an infectious disease prevention centre.

Alessandro Vespignani, director of the school’s Network Science Institute, said in a press release that when Covid-19 hit “everybody was caught off guard. We don’t want to be in a situation like that in the future.”

CDC addresses myth that Covid-19 vaccination affects fertility

Saturday 23 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) countered false claims that Covid-19 vaccines affect fertility in a recent Instagram post.

The post shows a graphic of a woman asking, “Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?”

The caption answers, “Yes. People who are trying to become pregnant now or who might become pregnant in the future may receive a [Covid] vaccine. There is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.”

Pregnant and Protected campaign helps expecting mothers lower their risks of serious illness from Covid-19

Saturday 23 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is highlighting a campaign aimed at helping pregnant people protect themselves from Covid.

The website for the program, called Pregnant and Protected, states that Covid-19 has made pregnancy even “more challenging for moms-to-be who want to keep themselves and their developing babies safe”.

More information on the campaign can be found at PregnantAndProtected.org.

Experts express concern over America’s vaccination record

Saturday 23 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released a statement warning of a potential tripledemic in the US in the coming months. This could happen if Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) all peak at the same time, experts say.

To prevent this scenario, which could overwhelm hospitals and urgent care centres, experts are urging all who are eligible to get vaccinated against the three viruses.

A study from UCLA published in The New England Journal of Medicine last year found that flu vaccination rates declined in states that saw low rates of Covid-19 vaccination, suggesting that public health campaigns encouraging protection through vaccines haven’t been effective.

CDC releases new Covid tracking measurements

Saturday 23 September 2023 10:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been providing weekly data on hospitalisations and deaths from Covid-19. Now the agency is also supplying numbers for the country’s test positivity rate and number of emergency room visits attributable to the virus.

From 10 September to 16 September, the test positivity rate in the US was 12.5 per cent, which was down 1.6 per cent from the previous week. During that same time frame, 1.9 per cent of emergency department visits were attributable to Covid-19, down 19.3 per cent from the previous week.

Experts urge pharmacists to inform patients free Covid vaccines are still available at select pharmacies

Saturday 23 September 2023 05:00 , Maggie O’Neill

A photo of a sign taped to a pharmacy door in San Francisco has circulated on Twitter, with experts criticising its messaging. The sign emphasises that Covid vaccines are no longer free everywhere, and experts say this language is daunting. Dr Lucky Tran, director of science communications and media relations at Columbia University, tweeted, “This is intimidating and will only turn people who want to get vaccinated away.”

The Bridge Access Program, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offers free updated Covid-19 vaccines to people who do not have health insurance (or those whose health insurance won’t cover the shot).

To find a pharmacy participating in the program and make an appointment, you can visit Vaccines.gov. After selecting which vaccine you’re looking for, you can filter for pharmacies that are participating in the program.

Ron DeSantis says he won’t provide funding for Covid vaccines if he’s elected president in 2024

Saturday 23 September 2023 00:00 , Maggie O’Neill

In a new interview with ABC News, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said he would not fund Covid vaccines if elected president in 2024.

“Well certainly we’re not going to fund them,” DeSantis said when asked about what his Covid vaccine policy would be. “Biden’s spending billions and billions of dollars on these…studies have not demonstrated the benefit of the boosters.”

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommend the updated Covid vaccinations, now available nationwide, for everyone six months and older. The vaccines help protect everyone eligible from severe disease or death from Covid-19.

Dr Fauci says long Covid trials ‘likely should have been done sooner’

Friday 22 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

In a new interview with MSNBC, Dr Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, discussed long Covid research and the Biden administration’s response to it. He said health authorities are “totally aware” that long Covid is a serious problem.

CDC releases new Covid data

Friday 22 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Deaths from Covid-19 rose 2.7 per cent from 10 September to 16 September compared to the previous week, per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During that same period, the test positivity rate was 12.5 per cent, and 1.9 per cent of emergency visits were diagnosed as Covid.

Hospitalisation data for that week is not yet available.

One-fourth of Americans think pandemic is worsening and worry about getting infected with Covid-19

Friday 22 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

According to the results of a new Gallup poll, Americans are still very concerned about Covid-19.

One in four said they felt the pandemic is worsening and that they were worried about getting infected with Covid.

Worry about contracting the virus has risen among both Democrats and Republicans in recent months, perhaps because the US has seen rising hospitalisations and deaths from the virus due to a summer surge in cases.

Jimmy Kimmel tests positive for Covid, cancels show

Friday 22 September 2023 10:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel has tested positive for Covid; as a result, he cancelled an upcoming show. Kimmel said he “could never live with” himself if he continued with the show and spread the virus.

CDC director urges seniors to get Covid vaccine

Friday 22 September 2023 05:00 , Maggie O’Neill

CDC Director Dr Mandy Cohen tweeted a video Wednesday explaining why older adults need to stay up to date on their vaccines.

“Older Americans, as we get into the fall and winter, are unfortunately at higher risk of bad things happening from respiratory viruses like flu, Covid, and [respiratory syncytial virus],” she said.

Biden to restart free Covid test program

Friday 22 September 2023 00:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The Biden administration announced Wednesday free Covid tests will soon be available again, as experts warn the US could see a tripledemic of flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in the coming months.

Households can order four free tests from COVIDTests.gov starting 25 September, per a statement from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Steve Martin cancels shows due to Covid

Thursday 21 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Comedian Steve Martin released a statement 20 September announcing he has to cancel shows scheduled in Las Vegas due to Covid-19.

What bats could tell us about Covid-19

Thursday 21 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

A new paper published in Oxford University Press looked at how bats could help researchers learn more about SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 illness.

Faiza Saqib reports:

Could bats hold the secret to beating Covid and cancer?

South Dakota Department of Health says there will be no state-wide mask mandate as CDC warns of a potential tripledemic

Thursday 21 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The South Dakota Department of Health recently tweeted that the state would not implement a mask mandate during cold and flu season this year.

“While we anticipate an increase in COVID-19 during the upcoming respiratory virus season, the [department] has never issued a mask mandate and doesn’t plan to start now,” it said. “South Dakota will continue to stand as a beacon of Freedom to the rest of the world.”

Both hospitalisations and deaths from Covid have steadily risen in recent weeks, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency recently released a statement warning of the potential for a tripledemic in the coming months, in which cases of Covid, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) peak at the same time. Should this occur, healthcare systems across the country could see delays in routine care, such as preventative cancer screenings.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, 76, tests positive for Covid

Thursday 21 September 2023 10:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, per reporting from WLWT5.

He reportedly began experiencing symptoms on Monday, and had a 101-degree fever when he tested late Tuesday afternoon.

The governor is isolating at his home, and he encouraged people who have symptoms of Covid to get tested.

Getting reinfected with Covid-19 may worsen long Covid symptoms, experts say

Thursday 21 September 2023 05:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Getting Covid a second time puts patients at risk of long Covid again, even if they didn’t get it the first time, a new study using data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has found.

Study author Dr Ziyad Al-Aly said in an interview with STAT that getting Covid again can also worsen long Covid symptoms for those who were already suffering from it.

“If you had long Covid before, upon reinfection there is a risk of worsening problems,” he said. “You may have had brain fog and fatigue but not dysautonomia or other manifestations…Even if you’ve had it before, you’re trying your luck again.”

Vivek Ramaswamy says he regrets getting two doses of the Covid vaccine, though his wife disagrees

Thursday 21 September 2023 00:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said he regrets getting two doses of the Covid vaccine, per reporting from NBC News.

His wife, Dr Apoorva Ramaswamy, a surgeon at Ohio State University, does not regret staying up to date on her vaccines. She told NBC News that she feels a responsibility to her patients, some of whom are cancer survivors, to protect herself so she can better protect them.

Ramaswamy said, “My wife and I disagree on things sometimes.”

Wastewater data show Covid cases may be declining

Wednesday 20 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Covid hospitalisations and deaths have steadily risen for the last several weeks, as the US sees the effect of a summer surge.

From 3 September to 9 September, hospitalisations from the virus rose 7.7 per cent compared to the previous week, the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show.

But new data show the summer surge may be slowing down. Wastewater detections of Covid were at their highest this summer around August 30, data from Biobot Analytics show. But from 6 September to 13 September, levels dropped by about 5 per cent.

Still yet, levels are more than three times higher than they were prior to the summer surge, in late June.

CDC warns of potential tripledemic during the upcoming cold and flu season

Wednesday 20 September 2023 18:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Federal health authorities are urging Americans to stay up to date on all vaccines to avoid slowing down the healthcare system during cold and flu season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new statement on the potential for a “tripledemic”, in which cases of Covid-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) all circulate at the same time and are massively disruptive to urgent care centres and hospitals.

CDC urges vaccination, warns of ‘tripledemic’ winter as Covid, RSV and flu collide

American Academy of Family Physicians encourages protection with updated Covid-19 vaccines

Wednesday 20 September 2023 15:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Health authorities across the country are urging Americans to stay up-to-date with their Covid vaccines to protect against severe disease from the virus.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recently said it was “encouraged” the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed off on the new vaccines.

Physicians say rising rate of positive Covid tests in the US is noteworthy

Wednesday 20 September 2023 10:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Hospitalisations and deaths from Covid have risen in recent weeks. Experts say the numbers aren’t as grim as they were during previous stages of the pandemic, but that they are worth watching.

Experts criticise policies dictating payment for Covid vaccines

Wednesday 20 September 2023 05:00 , Maggie O’Neill

The updated Covid vaccines—which provide protection against currently circulating variants—are set to cost more than $100 a dose.

Pfizer and BioNTech set their price at $120, and Moderna doses will be $129. Novavax shots will be $130 per dose, according to reporting from Reuters.

Experts say it is unacceptable to expect people with or without insurance to pay this much. “The fact that Covid-19 vaccines aren’t being covered by insurers is not a ‘bumpy rollout.’ It is a deliberate policy choice set into motion at the highest levels of government,” Philip Rocco, an associate professor at Marquette University, recently tweeted.

Gregg Gonsalves, a researcher at Yale, also commented on the policy on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “Please stop pretending that this is some weird accident or glitch. This is what you get when you decide that the pandemic is over and build policies to reinforce that fantasy.”

Children can experience long Covid too, study shows

Wednesday 20 September 2023 00:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Though rare, long Covid can affect children as well as adults, a new study has shown.

The research, published in JAMA Pediatrics on 18 September, said that long Covid symptoms can affect kids’ everyday functioning.

Symptoms associated with long Covid include fatigue, fever, chest pain, heart palpitations, headache, difficulty concentrating, lightheadedness, depression, diarrhoea, and joint pain, among others, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Florida sees highest number of Covid hospitalisations as DeSantis discourages vaccines

Tuesday 19 September 2023 21:00 , Maggie O’Neill

Florida is currently seeing the highest rate of hospitalisations from Covid, new data from Inside Medicine show.

Currently, there are 11 weekly hospitalisations per every 100,000 people, according to the data.

Arkansas, Texas, Alabama, and Georgia are among the states with the top five hospitalisation rates.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticised the federal government’s rollout of new Covid vaccines; his administration won’t recommend the vaccines for people under 65 even though they’re widely recommended for everyone six months and older to prevent severe disease and death.

CDC releases new data on Covid hospitalisations

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:35 , Maggie O’Neill