Current:Home > reviewsFriday is the last day US consumers can place mail orders for free COVID tests from the government -TradeWisdom
Friday is the last day US consumers can place mail orders for free COVID tests from the government
View
Date:2025-04-15 20:59:59
NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. government is suspending mail orders for free COVID-19 tests — at least for now.
Friday March 8 is the last day residential households can request free virus tests shipped through the United States Postal Service. According to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, a division of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, orders are set to close at 11:59 p.m. PT.
“ASPR has delivered over 1.8 billion free COVID-19 tests to the American people through COVIDTests.gov and direct distribution pathways and will continue distributing millions of tests per week to long-term care facilities, food banks, health centers, and schools,” a spokesperson for ASPR said in a prepared statement sent to The Associated Press.
Mail orders for free COVID tests from the government have been paused or expanded before. Despite Friday’s suspension, it’s still possible for the program to resume again down the road — with ASPR noting that it reserves the right to use COVIDTest.gov in the future as needed.
The Biden administration first launched its free mail-order COVID tests back in January 2022. The program was most recently reopened in September of last year — and households have been eligible to order to latest round of tests since November.
The decision to suspend ordering for the program’s sixth round arrives amid lowering case rates coming out of the winter respiratory season, ASPR noted.
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the respiratory virus season was likely past its peak following a December surge — but still urged caution.
veryGood! (252)
Related
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Ivy League football coaches praise conference’s stability (and wish they weren’t so alone)
- Rebuilding Maui after deadly wildfires could cost more than $5 billion, officials project
- 'I only have 1 dog:' Shocked California homeowner spots mountain lion 'playing' with pet
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Gwen Stefani's son Kingston Rossdale plays surprise performance at Blake Shelton's bar
- Paul Heyman fires back at Kurt Angle for criticizing The Bloodline 'third inning' comments
- Maui fires live updates: Fire 'deemed to be out' roared back to life, fueling tragedy
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Bryce Young limited during Panthers' preseason debut as Jets win without Aaron Rodgers
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Horoscopes Today, August 12, 2023
- ‘Barbie’ has legs: Greta Gerwig’s film tops box office again and gives industry a midsummer surge
- Pennsylvania house explosion: 5 dead, including child, and several nearby homes destroyed
- Federal hiring is about to get the Trump treatment
- How to get rid of pimples: Acne affects many people. Here's what to do about it.
- How smart financial planning can save you thousands of dollars when things go awry
- 3 found dead in car in Indianapolis school parking lot
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Beloved 2000s Irish boy band Westlife set to embark on first-ever North American tour
New Orleans City Hall announces death of Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s husband, attorney Jason Cantrell
'Like it or not, we live in Oppenheimer's world,' says director Christopher Nolan
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Custard shop that survived COVID and car crashes finds sweet success on Instagram
Heat wave forecast to bake Pacific Northwest with scorching temperatures
Why haven't summer's extreme heat waves caused any blackouts? Renewable energy is helping.