US falls behind on at-home Covid tests
3 years, 1 month ago

US falls behind on at-home Covid tests

CNN  

This is the weekly edition of CNN’s coronavirus newsletter. The National Institutes of Health’s $70 million pledge, announced last week, promises to get more tests onto the market by identifying and encouraging new manufacturers and easing the obstacles in getting the tests approved. A vast, international review of studies published in March found that few antigen tests met the World Health Organization’s minimum acceptable performance standards. And in October, Covid-19 home test-maker Ellume announced a voluntary recall of some of its rapid antigen tests in the US, due to an increased chance of false positives. “Travel insurance with Covid-19 quarantine coverage is designed to help cover the lodging and accommodation expenses you might incur should you test positive for Covid on vacation,” Narendra Khatri, president and CEO of Insubuy, which provides international travel medical insurance from various US-based companies, told CNN.

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History of this topic

Free COVID tests are back. Here's how to order a test to your home
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Free COVID tests are back. Here's how to order a test to your home

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Americans can once again order …

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them
2 months, 4 weeks ago

The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes. The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 vaccine and their yearly flu shot. U.S. regulators approved …

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost
4 months ago

Government announces more COVID-19 tests can be ordered through mail for no cost

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — On the heels of a summer wave of COVID-19 cases, Americans will be able to get free virus test kits mailed to their homes, starting in late September. U.S. households will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests when the federal program reopens, according to the website, COVIDtests.gov. The announcement also comes as the …

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A top official said the number of people testing positive for Covid across 84 countries …

Positive test not needed for long COVID diagnosis, experts conclude
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Positive test not needed for long COVID diagnosis, experts conclude

LA Times  

People do not need to have tested positive for the coronavirus to be considered for a diagnosis of long COVID, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine concludes. The report, produced by a committee of experts at the request of the U.S. Social Security Administration, aims to summarize what is known about long COVID, a …

Sick with COVID and the flu: Double infections hit California hard
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Sick with COVID and the flu: Double infections hit California hard

LA Times  

California’s hospitals are getting busier with more COVID-19 and flu patients, some of whom are suffering from both viruses at the same time. L.A. County’s entry into the “medium” COVID-19 hospitalization category has prompted local public health officials to order hospitals, nursing homes and any other inpatient facility to require healthcare employees mask up while in patient-care areas. Multiple tests …

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail
1 year, 1 month ago

More free COVID-19 tests from the government are available for home delivery through the mail

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Americans can order more free COVID-19 tests online for home delivery. The U.S. government is offering to send another round of four at-home virus tests ahead of the typical surge in cases during the winter holiday season. The new release of free COVID-19 nasal swab tests also comes ahead of the first winter since the pandemic started that …

More free, at-home Covid-19 tests available for US residents through government
1 year, 1 month ago

More free, at-home Covid-19 tests available for US residents through government

CNN  

CNN — US households are now eligible to order an additional four at-home Covid-19 tests — free of cost — through the government. As of Monday, residential households in the US can submit an order through Covidtests.gov for four individual rapid antigen Covid-19 tests. Residents who haven’t placed an order since the program reopened can place two orders, which will …

US households can now order four free Covid tests from the government: Latest guidelines
1 year, 1 month ago

US households can now order four free Covid tests from the government: Latest guidelines

The Independent  

✕ Close Jill Biden tested positive for Covid and experienced “mild symptoms”, per a 4 September statement from the White House. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would …

US government issues new COVID-19 guidelines for households, free rapid tests
1 year, 2 months ago

US government issues new COVID-19 guidelines for households, free rapid tests

Hindustan Times  

United States has restarted its free Covid test program. As per the latest update, four more free COVID-19 rapid tests per household, can be ordered from the official website of the United States government- COVIDTests.gov. COVID-19 antigen home tests The free COVID-19 rapid tests, are aimed to help uninsured individuals and underserved communities. According to the information available on the …

Free COVID-19 home tests are back for US households, Here's how to order yours online
1 year, 3 months ago

Free COVID-19 home tests are back for US households, Here's how to order yours online

Hindustan Times  

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday that it will resume a program that offers free Covid-19 home tests to Americans. The Biden administration has announced that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. …

Biden government to deliver free COVID tests again to US households
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden government to deliver free COVID tests again to US households

Live Mint  

The US Department of Health and Human Services said on September 20 that it will deliver COVID-19 tests for free to households across the country, reported Reuters. The health agency said that starting from September 25, households will again have the option to request four free tests via COVIDTests.gov. The HHS further said that these tests are designed to identify …

Covid-19: US households will be able to order more free tests starting Monday
1 year, 3 months ago

Covid-19: US households will be able to order more free tests starting Monday

CNN  

CNN — The US government will relaunch a program to provide free Covid-19 home tests to Americans, US Department of Health and Human Services said Wednesday. Becerra said HHS’s Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response “has been resupplying our stockpile.” The tests coming available soon are intended for use through the end of 2023 and will include instructions on how …

U.S. announces $600 million to produce COVID tests and will reopen website for orders
1 year, 3 months ago

U.S. announces $600 million to produce COVID tests and will reopen website for orders

LA Times  

The Biden administration is providing $600 million to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is resurrecting a website allowing Americans to again order up to four free tests per household. The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and is restarting a website allowing Americans to again order up …

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief
1 year, 4 months ago

Continue COVID-19 testing to check emergence of new virus variants: WHO chief

The Hindu  

Warning that many countries aren’t testing enough and that new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants may emerge, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, on Wednesday said that testing and being vigilant is vital in continuing the fight against COVID-19. “While COVID is now behind us and India did its best during the time, we can expect new and more …

Do at-home COVID tests still work? New research suggests they are less effective than thought
1 year, 5 months ago

Do at-home COVID tests still work? New research suggests they are less effective than thought

Salon  

Most of us have taken a COVID test at home. Reid Akana, co-author of the study, explained to Salon that one unique part of their study was that they measured the number of viral particles in various specimens, perhaps suggesting that the nose isn't the best place to test, as most at-home antigen tests were designed and approved to do. …

Centre Asks States to Stay Alert As Covid-19 Cases Cross 6000-mark, Conduct Mock Drills
1 year, 8 months ago

Centre Asks States to Stay Alert As Covid-19 Cases Cross 6000-mark, Conduct Mock Drills

News 18  

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country and advised states to remain vigilant and prepare for effective management of the virus. During a virtual meeting with state health ministers, principal, and additional chief secretaries, Mandaviya emphasised the need to identify emergency hotspots through the monitoring of …

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states
1 year, 8 months ago

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states

Hindustan Times  

The Union government on Saturday directed states to increase testing for Covid-19 as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines to effectively check any increase in its spread, people familiar with the matter said. “In the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO,” …

FDA authorises first ever flu-Covid home test
1 year, 9 months ago

FDA authorises first ever flu-Covid home test

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The Lucira COVID-19 & Flu Home test, which can …

US to require negative Covid tests for travelers from China
1 year, 11 months ago

US to require negative Covid tests for travelers from China

Firstpost  

From 5 January, all air passengers two years and older who originate from China must obtain a negative Covid-19 test less than two days before departure and provide it to their airlines, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Washington: The United States will require negative Covid tests from all air travelers from China, saying Beijing is not …

Op-Ed: Immunity’s down. Infection rates are up. And what happened to everyone’s masks?
2 years ago

Op-Ed: Immunity’s down. Infection rates are up. And what happened to everyone’s masks?

LA Times  

In March 2021, a restaurant in Houston informed patrons they must mask up. This is part of a global COVID wave, being seen throughout much of Europe, South America and the Middle East and in China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. By four to six months after vaccination or a booster shot, there is a substantial drop-off of …

FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy
2 years, 4 months ago

FDA: Take 3 home tests if exposed to COVID to boost accuracy

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — If you were exposed to COVID-19, take three home tests instead of two to make sure you’re not infected, according to new U.S. recommendations released Thursday. Previously, the Food and Drug Administration had advised taking two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. Thursday’s update reflects the evolving understanding of the accuracy of …

If exposed to the coronavirus, take 3 home tests to boost accuracy, FDA now says
2 years, 4 months ago

If exposed to the coronavirus, take 3 home tests to boost accuracy, FDA now says

LA Times  

Boxes of rapid coronavirus tests are displayed for sale at a drugstore. People screening themselves at home should use three tests to more accurately detect the virus, according to new FDA recommendations. If you were exposed to the coronavirus, take three home tests instead of two to make sure you’re not infected, according to new U.S. recommendations released Thursday. But …

WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
2 years, 5 months ago

WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization. The biggest weekly rise in new COVID-19 cases was seen in the Middle East, where they increased by 47%, according to the report released late Wednesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

Flying to the US? Soon you won’t need a COVID test
2 years, 6 months ago

Flying to the US? Soon you won’t need a COVID test

Al Jazeera  

The US had required travelers to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test if they were flying into the country. US President Joe Biden’s administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the US take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain …

U.S. to lift COVID-19 test requirement for international air arrivals
2 years, 6 months ago

U.S. to lift COVID-19 test requirement for international air arrivals

LA Times  

The lifting of the COVID-19 test requirement for international air travel ends one of the last government mandates meant to contain the coronavirus. The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID-19 test within a day before boarding their flights, easing one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the …

US making COVID antiviral drug more available at test sites
2 years, 6 months ago

US making COVID antiviral drug more available at test sites

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The White House on Thursday announced more steps to make the antiviral treatment Paxlovid more accessible across the U.S. as it projects COVID-19 infections will continue to spread over the summer travel season. “COVID is no longer the killer that it was even a year ago.” Jha said that given the wider use of at-home rapid tests, whose …

More free COVID rapid tests are available. Here’s how to get yours
2 years, 7 months ago

More free COVID rapid tests are available. Here’s how to get yours

LA Times  

According to the CDC, rapid tests do a good job detecting COVID-19 in someone who is showing symptoms of the disease, such as a cough, a fever or a sore throat. Response to the administration’s previous offer of free kits wasn’t exactly overwhelming, though — according to the White House, more than 70 million households ordered kits online, out of …

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges
2 years, 7 months ago

Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges

LA Times  

Testing for coronavirus infections has plummeted across the globe, making it much tougher for scientists to track the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and spot new, worrisome viral variants as they emerge and spread. “We’re not testing anywhere near where we might need to,” said Dr. Krishna Udayakumar, who directs the Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University. At a …

Pandemic Gets Tougher to Track as Covid-19 Testing Plunges
2 years, 7 months ago

Pandemic Gets Tougher to Track as Covid-19 Testing Plunges

News 18  

Testing for Covid-19 has plummeted across the globe, making it much tougher for scientists to track the course of the pandemic and spot new, worrisome viral mutants as they emerge and spread. Were not testing anywhere near where we might need to, said Dr. Krishna Udayakumar, who directs the Duke Global Health Innovation Center at Duke University. Mara Aspinall, managing …

Saliva testing for Covid-19 quicker, safer than nasal swabs: Study
2 years, 9 months ago

Saliva testing for Covid-19 quicker, safer than nasal swabs: Study

Hindustan Times  

According to a study led by the American Society for Microbiology, saliva samples can identify Covid-19 more quickly than testing with nasal swabs. The findings have implications for improving public acceptance of Covid-19 testing, reducing the cost of mass Covid-19 screening and improving the safety of healthcare workers who conduct testing. "That made us wonder whether saliva was better for …

FAQs about antigen self-testing for COVID-19
2 years, 9 months ago

FAQs about antigen self-testing for COVID-19

China Daily  

China has approved COVID-19 antigen testing as a supplementary means to improve early detection, and 10 domestically made antigen kits have been allowed for home use. There are three groups of people who can use the antigen test kits: - Those who visit grassroots medical institutions within 5 days of having respiratory symptoms or fever, - Those who are under …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection
2 years, 9 months ago

Self-test kits OK'd for earlier detection

China Daily  

An employee counts disposable swabs while packaging COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits in Hong Kong, South China, on March 3, 2022. In two separate notices, issued on Friday and Saturday, the National Medical Products Administration allowed five companies－Beijing Savant Biotechnology, Nanjing Vazyme Biotech, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech, Beijing Jinwofu Bioengineering Technology and Shenzhen-based BGI PathoGenesis Pharmaceutical Technology－to revise its COVID-19 antigen …

New Biden pandemic plan: Closer to normal for the nation
2 years, 9 months ago

New Biden pandemic plan: Closer to normal for the nation

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — It’s time for America to stop letting the coronavirus “dictate how we live,” President Joe Biden’s White House declared Wednesday, outlining a strategy to allow people to return to many normal activities safely after two years of pandemic disruptions. A White House official said the “test-to-treat” plan would initially roll out in hundreds of pharmacies across the country, …

US FDA warns against use of certain unapproved Covid tests
2 years, 9 months ago

US FDA warns against use of certain unapproved Covid tests

Live Mint  

The US Food and Drug Administration has warned people against the use of unauthorised versions of certain Covid-19 rapid antigen tests currently being marketed in the United States. The US drug agency said that fraudulent Covid-19 products can come in many varieties, including dietary supplements and other foods, as well as products claiming to be tests, drugs, medical devices, or …

White House launches ‘test to treat’ COVID-19 initiative, plan toward greater normality
2 years, 9 months ago

White House launches ‘test to treat’ COVID-19 initiative, plan toward greater normality

LA Times  

Beginning this month, Americans will be able to head to their local pharmacy for a coronavirus test and, if they test positive, receive antiviral pills on the spot, at no cost to them. President Biden announced the launch of the “test to treat” initiative during Tuesday night’s State of the Union Address as he emphasized the country’s progress in battling …

Rapid COVID-19 home tests surge in India, experts flag risks
2 years, 10 months ago

Rapid COVID-19 home tests surge in India, experts flag risks

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — On New Year’s Eve, the Indian government wrote to states encouraging them to promote the use of COVID-19 home tests, especially for people who are experiencing symptoms, in a bid to avoid straining local health systems. “If I had to guess, maybe only 20% of people using home tests are reporting it,” said K Srinath Reddy, president …

South Korea reports rise in Covid deaths, US CDC advises Americans to avoid travel
2 years, 10 months ago

South Korea reports rise in Covid deaths, US CDC advises Americans to avoid travel

India Today  

South Korea reported its highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a month Tuesday as U.S. health authorities advised Americans to avoid traveling to the country grappling with a fast-developing Omicron surge. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its travel notice for South Korea to level 4, the highest risk, advising Americans to avoid travel to the country …

Medicare opens up access to free at-home COVID-19 tests
2 years, 10 months ago

Medicare opens up access to free at-home COVID-19 tests

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration, seeking to fill a frustrating gap in coverage for COVID-19 tests, Thursday announced that people with Medicare will be able to get free over-the-counter tests much more easily in the coming weeks. Medicare benefits are governed by a host of arcane laws and regulations, and officials said Thursday they were able to arrange for coverage …

60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests, White House says
2 years, 10 months ago

60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests, White House says

CNN  

CNN — The White House said on Friday some 60 million households have requested free Covid-19 rapid tests so far, with tens of millions tests having “gone out the door” as part of the Biden administration’s program to mail more than half a billion rapid tests to Americans around the country. White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told …

Free Covid tests distributed by White House may not be considered valid for travel
2 years, 10 months ago

Free Covid tests distributed by White House may not be considered valid for travel

Daily Mail  

Dr David Weber, an epidemiologist at UNC-Chapel Hill, said that at-home tests distributed by the Biden administration may not be usable for travel requirements Free home COVID tests funded by Joe Biden will likely not be approved to get around existing travel rules because it is too easy to fake a negative result, a health expert has warned. Dr David …

US begins offering 1B free COVID tests, but many more needed
2 years, 11 months ago

US begins offering 1B free COVID tests, but many more needed

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — For the first time, people across the U.S. can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. “The playbook for rapid tests should look exactly like the playbook for vaccines,” said Zoe McLaren, a health economist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. While private companies are now producing more than 250 million at-home …

US Begins Offering Free Covid-19 Test Kits, but Doubts Persist
2 years, 11 months ago

US Begins Offering Free Covid-19 Test Kits, but Doubts Persist

News 18  

For the first time, all Americans can log on to a government website and order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. While private companies are now producing more than 250 million at-home tests per month, that is still not enough to allow most Americans to frequently test themselves. The U.S. would need 2.3 billion tests per month for all teens and adults …

How to get free at-home Covid tests from the government through covidtests.gov
2 years, 11 months ago

How to get free at-home Covid tests from the government through covidtests.gov

CNN  

CNN — Americans can now sign up to get free home Covid-19 tests from the federal government. Here’s what you need to know about getting free home tests from the federal government: How do I order the tests? In addition to getting messages that tests were already ordered for their address, some consumers are being told that their home addresses …

Covidtests.gov is off to a strong start but big hurdle awaits
2 years, 11 months ago

Covidtests.gov is off to a strong start but big hurdle awaits

CNN  

Editor’s Note: David M. Perry is a journalist and historian and co-author of “The Bright Ages: A New History of Medieval Europe.” He is a senior academic adviser in the history department of the University of Minnesota. CNN — The Tuesday news that the Biden administration’s free rapid Covid-19 test site had gone online a day early, part of a …

US launches website to provide free at-home COVID tests
2 years, 11 months ago

US launches website to provide free at-home COVID tests

Al Jazeera  

With a new website, launched one day ahead of the official date, Americans can order up to four free test kits per household. People in the United States can now order free COVID-19 test kits online, as the White House moves to boost testing capacity amid a surge in coronavirus infections linked to the Omicron variant. The programme initially will …

More free rapid COVID tests are coming. Here’s what we know so far
2 years, 11 months ago

More free rapid COVID tests are coming. Here’s what we know so far

LA Times  

Abbott Laboratories’ BinaxNOW is one of at least 14 at-home antigen COVID-19 tests authorized for over-the-counter sale by the Food and Drug Administration. The Biden administration announced Monday that insurers will be required to cover the cost of rapid home COVID tests for their customers, starting Saturday. People with insurance can also order free test kits from COVIDTests.gov, the administration …

Biden announces new measures to combat Omicron threat
2 years, 11 months ago

Biden announces new measures to combat Omicron threat

Al Jazeera  

US Joe Biden President said that teams of military medical personnel would be dispatched to help six states hard-hit by COVID. United States President Joe Biden announced the doubling of rapid at-home COVID-19 tests and the deployment of medical personnel to six hard-hit states as the nation confronts a surge in Omicron variant cases. Biden also announced that starting next …

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