New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season
3 years, 1 month ago

New hurdle for COVID-19 home testing -- the holiday season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Millions more home tests for COVID-19 are hitting store shelves, but will there be enough for Americans hoping to screen themselves before holiday gatherings? White House officials say the U.S. is on pace to have about 200 million home tests per month by December, quadrupling the number from this summer. Market leader Abbott says it is back to producing 50 million of its BinaxNow tests per month, after slashing production last summer when testing demand plummeted. “While having these tests on the shelves is terrific so people can feel empowered personally, we also have to balance where they are going.” Under pressure from the Biden administration, the Food and Drug Administration has been clearing home tests at a faster pace, authorizing four of the 13 tests now available in the last two months. If the U.S. took that approach for everyone 12 and older, it would need 2.3 billion tests per month, researchers with the non-profit Kaiser Family Foundation noted in a recent report.

Health Testing Month Million Home Tests Tests Officials  tests  officials  testing  holiday  health  million  season  hurdle  widespread  say  month  covid19  vaccinated  supplies

History of this topic

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 …

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 …

Free COVID tests are back. Here’s how to get yours
3 months ago

Free COVID tests are back. Here’s how to get yours

LA Times  

The federal government will again send out free COVID testing kits to anyone who requests them. Coronavirus infections have come roaring back this year, prompting the Biden administration to renew one of its earliest responses to the COVID-19 pandemic: Free at-home test kits delivered via the mail. If you don’t want to wait for the tests to come by mail, …

Here’s why Covid cases are spiking again and how it could affect you
4 months ago

Here’s why Covid cases are spiking again and how it could affect you

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. The American Hospital Association said that the 18.1 percent test positivity rate for that week …

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 …

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 …

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 …

The CDC is changing the way it monitors COVID-19 in the U.S.
1 year, 7 months ago

The CDC is changing the way it monitors COVID-19 in the U.S.

LA Times  

Dr. Nirav Shah, principal deputy director for the CDC, said the country will be able to maintain “good sight lines” into the state of COVID-19 in America. With the federal government’s three-year-old public health emergency set to expire next Thursday, the agency will begin to track COVID-19 cases alongside other respiratory illnesses, said Dr. Nirav D. Shah, the CDC’s principal …

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,” …

Health ministry directs states to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing
1 year, 9 months ago

Health ministry directs states to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing

Live Mint  

NEW DELHI: With the spike in Covid and influenza cases across the country, the Central government has directed all the states and union territories to accelerate the pace of Covid-19 testing as a declining trend has been noticed in some states. In a joint advisory issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research and health ministry, “ln the past several …

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government
1 year, 9 months ago

COVID-19 tests down, need to be scaled up, says government

The Hindu  

The Health Ministry on Saturday warned that at a time when the country was registering a sustained increase in the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in some States, COVID-19 testing had declined. In its advisory, the Ministry said that testing at the level of districts and blocks also varied, with some States heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests. …

Rise in Viral Infection: Private Hospitals, Labs Offering Flu Testing Packages to Avoid Repeat Examination
1 year, 9 months ago

Rise in Viral Infection: Private Hospitals, Labs Offering Flu Testing Packages to Avoid Repeat Examination

News 18  

Amid a spurt in COVID-19 cases, influenza and other respiratory infections in the national capital, private hospitals and laboratories are offering comprehensive packages to eliminate the need for repeated testing. “Taking into account the significant increase in viral infections in the city, we have launched a multiplex PCR-based comprehensive flu panel which comprises 17 pathogens, including all common viruses such …

Biggest Jump in Daily Covid Infections in 140 Days, Nearly 8,000 Active Cases
1 year, 9 months ago

Biggest Jump in Daily Covid Infections in 140 Days, Nearly 8,000 Active Cases

News 18  

India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The daily positivity was recorded at 1.46 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.08 per cent. The active cases now comprises 0.02 per cent of the total infections, …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 9 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide
1 year, 9 months ago

No need for booster vaccine against coronavirus this spring, experts decide

Dutch News  

Coronavirus experts have advised against another round of vaccinations this spring because there is enough immunity in the population from previous vaccines or infections. The advisers will decide later in the year whether there should be another booster round in the autumn, when the peak season for coronavirus infections begins. Doctors should still be able to prescribe a vaccine for …

Covid-19: This state approves pricing of RTPCR, Antigen tests in private centres
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid-19: This state approves pricing of RTPCR, Antigen tests in private centres

Live Mint  

The Uttar Pradesh government on 29 December approved the cost of Covid-19 tests, including the Antigen, and RTPCR tests in private centres in the state. Earlier on Thursday, Union Health Ministry said that all international passengers travelling from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand to India will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR tests before departure and upload …

Covid News Updates: Random Tests Begin at All Airports; Mock Drill Across Hospitals in States, UTs Tomorrow to Check Preparedness
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid News Updates: Random Tests Begin at All Airports; Mock Drill Across Hospitals in States, UTs Tomorrow to Check Preparedness

News 18  

Covid News Updates: Amid a steep rise of Covid cases in China and many other countries in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked people to be vigilant and take precautions against the viral disease. The Centre had said RT-PCR test would be made mandatory for passengers from China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand and asked states …

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 …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount
2 years, 2 months ago

Repeat covid vaccinations opened to all as postive tests mount

Dutch News  

Everyone over the age of 12 is now being invited to sign up for another coronavirus vaccination, the health ministry has confirmed. With covid infections once again on the rise, health officials say getting the top-up jabs will help slow the spread of the virus. People aged 40 to 60 can make an appointment via website planjeprik.nl next week, while …

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 …

Mandatory COVID-19 tests every few days becoming the norm for people in China
2 years, 6 months ago

Mandatory COVID-19 tests every few days becoming the norm for people in China

ABC  

Every three days Faith Wang, a podcast producer living in Beijing, waits in line for about 30 minutes to get a COVID PCR test. Key points: Many larger Chinese cities have normalised regular COVID-19 testing as part of the country's COVID-zero policy Tens of thousands of testing booths are being built so that residents always have one within a 15-minute …

US drops Covid-19 test requirement for international travel to boost tourism
2 years, 6 months ago

US drops Covid-19 test requirement for international travel to boost tourism

Hindustan Times  

The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international travellers test negative for Covid-19 within a day before boarding a flight to the United States, ending one of the last remaining government mandates designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus. US drops Covid-19 test requirement for international travel to boost tourism The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced …

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-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 …

California sends millions of COVID-19 tests to schools for the return from spring break
2 years, 8 months ago

California sends millions of COVID-19 tests to schools for the return from spring break

LA Times  

California has sent millions of at-home COVID-19 tests to schools in preparation for the return of students from spring break. In an effort to prepare school districts across the state to test students for COVID-19 when they return from spring break, Gov. The state has already shipped 14.3 million COVID-19 at-home tests for students and staff, the governor’s office said …

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming
2 years, 9 months ago

Experts worry about how US will see next Covid-19 surge coming

India Today  

As coronavirus infections rise in some parts of the world, experts are watching for a potential new COVID-19 surge in the U.S. — and wondering how long it will take to detect. Despite disease monitoring improvements over the last two years, they say, some recent developments don’t bode well: —As more people take rapid COVID-19 tests at home, fewer people …

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, …

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 …

Covid: Lateral flow tests already being rationed as government winds down free scheme
2 years, 10 months ago

Covid: Lateral flow tests already being rationed as government winds down free scheme

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 Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The government …

Free Covid tests are set to STAY for over-80s and most vulnerable
2 years, 10 months ago

Free Covid tests are set to STAY for over-80s and most vulnerable

Daily Mail  

Over-80s and the most vulnerable will still be offered free Covid tests after they are scrapped nationwide, it was claimed today. Boris Johnson will unveil his 'living with Covid' strategy later today, with the Prime Minister expected to lay out a timetable for axing public access to lateral flow and PCR swabs. No10's business minister Paul Scully today said the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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