U.S. Government Offers More Free COVID-19 Tests Ahead of Winter Season

The move comes as the flu season begins and a spike in RSV cases is reported, with insurers no longer required to cover the cost of tests.

Starting Monday, U.S. households can order another round of four free COVID-19 tests from the government, or eight if they did not order any in the previous round in September.
The government is mailing out the coronavirus tests as the flu season kicks off and a spike in RSV cases has been reported in some spots around the country.
The new release of free COVID-19 nasal swab tests comes ahead of the first winter since the pandemic started that insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of them.
On average, at-home tests now cost $11 out of pocket, according to an analysis by the nonprofit health research firm KFF.
The Food and Drug Administration also approved updated COVID-19 vaccines in September in the hopes of revving up protection for Americans this winter.