Website for free COVID tests crashes as FDA appears to show September’s availability date

As cases of a new COVID-19 variant rise across the United States, the federal government has announced the return of free at-home test kits. High demand for these tests, however, appears to have already caused the COVIDTests.gov website to crash or become unavailable for some users, hinting that households are eager to place orders ahead of the expected September 2024 launch of the program. The program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is intended to enable each household to order up to four free tests. The exact availability date for the tests had not officially been announced as of Monday afternoon. A spokesperson for HHS had no immediate information about when the website would be fully functional. Earlier on Monday, a page on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) site indicated that the tests would be available as of Monday, September 23. However, the page now just says “coming soon” and “late September.” The over-the-counter kits are designed to detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. Test kits were planned to be shipped by the U.S. Postal Service directly to homes, with many anticipated to arrive before the busy holiday travel season. The federal initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden of purchasing over-the-counter tests, which can cost nearly $20 for a pack of two. Alongside this testing effort, the government encourages residents to get updated COVID-19 booster shots, with newly approved formulations from Pfizer and Moderna already available at pharmacies. Both initiatives aim at being vital steps in controlling the spread of the virus during the upcoming fall and winter months.