The Biden administration on Monday said it is offering another round of free at-home Covid tests to U.S. households ahead of the holiday season, when more people gather indoors and the virus typically spreads at higher levels.
Starting Monday, Americans can use COVIDtests.gov to request four free tests per household. Those who have not ordered any tests this fall can now place two orders for a total of eight tests, according to the website.
The administration in September allowed people to request an initial round of four free tests through the site, resuming a federal program that temporarily shut down during a political fight over Covid funding.
People are likely still getting Covid, but they are not testing, so it’s not confirmed. The strains around now are not severe for most people, varying from a sniffle to a flu. For some it’s severe, but with a combination of vaccinations, previous infections and the death of the most vulnerable already, it’s less of a public health problem.