The federal government’s free COVID-19 tests are back.
On September 25, the government has reopened its program to supply Americans with tests, and consumers can begin ordering them online.
COVIDtests.gov allows each household to order up to four free tests. Because there have been supply chain concerns with home tests in the past, the Biden Administration has stated that it is attempting to avoid them this respiratory season.
The US government sent approximately 755 million tests the first time this program was implemented. If you order tests, they’ll come with information about how to verify expiration dates on some of the tests you may already have.
“The FDA has postponed the expiration dates of many of the tests out there. So don’t throw your COVID tests out,” said Dr. Doug Ross, Chief Medical Officer for AdventHealth Tampa.
Some of the expiration dates have been extended well past what’s printed on the box.
“Check the label who manufactured it, go online, and see if from that company website if the expiration has been extended on COVID tests,” said Ross. “A lot of people have COVID tests at home, and you shouldn’t throw it out because even though it looks like it expired by the date on the box, it could be very well still useful to be able to self-diagnose COVID.”
These tests, according to health experts, are coming at a good time, ahead of an expected winter increase. Cases and hospitalizations have already been on the rise in recent months.