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U.S. Government to Resume Free At-Home COVID-19 Test Distribution in Late September
In response to a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases, the Biden administration announced on Friday that it will once again provide free at-home COVID-19 tests to American households starting in late September. This initiative comes as the virus has been gaining a stronger foothold across the U.S. during the summer months.
Americans will be able to request up to four free tests through the government’s website, COVIDtests.gov, according to administration officials who briefed reporters. These tests are designed to detect the currently circulating COVID-19 variants, most of which are descendants of the highly contagious Omicron variant, specifically JN.1.
Dawn O’Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services, emphasized the importance of these tests in keeping families safe during the fall and winter seasons. “This is the seventh time over the last three years that the Biden-Harris administration has given families the opportunity to order the over-the-counter Covid-19 tests for free,” she said.
Since the program’s inception in 2021, the government has distributed more than 1.8 billion free over-the-counter COVID-19 tests to Americans. The decision to relaunch the program comes as the U.S. experiences a significant spike in COVID-19 cases, particularly ahead of the fall and winter seasons when the virus tends to spread more rapidly. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that there is a “high” or “very high” level of COVID-19 being detected in wastewater across almost every U.S. state.
David Boucher, Director of Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response at HHS, explained that the timing of the program’s relaunch is strategic. “As people start to travel, as they start to get together with friends and family through the holidays, we want them to have those four tests available to them at that time,” he said.
Additionally, by late September, the latest round of COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna will be available at pharmacies, health clinics, and other locations nationwide. These updated vaccines target a JN.1 offshoot called KP.2 and were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday.
In a devastating incident in eastern India, at least 46 people, including 37 children and seven women, have drowned while celebrating the Hindu Jivitputrika festival. The fatalities, which occurred across 15 districts within the past 24 hours, resulted from victims ritually bathing in rivers and ponds swollen by recent flooding.
The three-day festival, which honors children’s wellbeing, is traditionally marked by mothers fasting and families participating in ritual baths. This year, the swollen water bodies, exacerbated by recent floods, have turned the celebratory ritual into a deadly disaster.
Local disaster management officials have expressed fears that the death toll could rise further. State authorities have promised compensation for the families and relatives of the victims.
Fatal accidents during religious festivals are not uncommon in India, where large gatherings often take place with insufficient safety measures. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such gatherings, especially during adverse weather conditions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have conducted airstrikes in Beirut, reportedly killing Mohammad Hussein Surur, a senior Hezbollah air unit leader. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed two deaths and 15 injuries from the attack. The strikes come amid escalating violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides exchanging fire throughout the night and into the morning.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the IDF would continue to fight “with full force” against Hezbollah, aiming to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group. This marks a significant intensification of hostilities between the two sides, which have been exchanging rockets and airstrikes for days. The Lebanese health ministry also reported that 28 people were killed today by Israeli airstrikes.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched 80 missiles targeting northern Israeli cities, including Safed. Israeli authorities have reported no casualties but noted significant property damage in Safed and Rosh Pina.
Amid the intensifying conflict, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin renewed calls for a diplomatic solution. The U.S., along with 11 other allied nations, has urged both Israel and Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire to prevent further escalation and civilian casualties.
Ferry travel between the Isle of Man and Lancashire continues to face disruption due to strong winds over the Irish Sea. The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has cancelled Thursday’s 08:45 BST sailing of the Manxman to Heysham and its scheduled 14:15 return journey. This follows the cancellation of the vessel’s return trip from the Lancashire port on Wednesday evening.
The disruptions have affected postal services, with the Isle of Man Post Office reporting delays in deliveries from the UK. While local deliveries within the island remain unaffected, items posted on Wednesday for UK delivery may not reach Royal Mail’s network in time for Friday delivery.
Additionally, the ferry cancellations have caused a delay in newspaper deliveries, with no papers available on the island on Thursday, as confirmed by the island’s wholesale distributor.
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