Avian Flu Diary: U.S.: Second Round Of Free At-Home COVID Tests Now Available

#16,644

Compared to many other countries around the world (see chart above), the United States is enjoying a significant lull in COVID cases. So much so, that many people are acting as if the pandemic is over, and unlikely to return.

While I admire that kind of optimism, we continue to see COVID evolve into new, harder to control variants. And many countries that were convinced their pandemic was over and done with last fall, are now in the midst of their worst outbreaks.

The future course of COVID remains unpredictable, but there are subtle signs that suggest another wave is likely to affect the United States in the next couple of months. How bad it will be, or how long it might last, are also unknown.

Last Tuesday, we looked at the latest CDC Nowcast, which shows the unmistakable rise of the BA.2 variant, a more transmissible virus which has been associated with recent spikes in COVID in places like Hong Kong, South Korea, Germany, and France.

Although the CDC wastewater surveillance site isn't updating for me this morning, it has been widely reported that CDC confirms uptick in Covid virus found in wastewater this week, suggesting that an increase in cases may be imminent.

Add in recent upticks in seasonal influenza reported around the nation, and the ability to do home testing for COVID may gain greater importance in the weeks ahead.

Two months ago (January 19th) the U.S. government announced that all American households were eligible to order 4 free at-home COVID test kits, with the promise that an additional 4 kits would be made available at a later date.

While that program got off to a rough start (mine took nearly a month to arrive), they have worked out most of the kinks, and are now ready to offer the second round of 4 kits. I ordered mine two days ago, and got a delivery confirmation for next week.

If you never ordered the first 4 kits, you will be given an opportunity to order two batches of 4 in this round. Now would be a good time to replenish your supplies of N95 or KN95 face masks, restock any OTC cold/flu medications, and discuss with family or friends becoming a `Flu Buddy'; someone you (or they) can call on if either of you become sick.

While we may get lucky, and avoid the kind of surge other countries are seeing right now, the odds are that COVID will return - if not now, this summer or next fall - and it never hurts to already be prepared.

And considering that your tax dollars paid for these `free' at-home COVID tests, you might as well get yours while supplies last.