The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), has announced a $600 million investment across 12 domestic COVID-19 test manufacturers, as well as the reopening of COVIDTests.gov, to deliver free COVID-19 tests to households across the country.

The critical investments in U.S. manufacturing will improve preparedness for COVID-19 and other future pandemic threats, strengthen the nation’s capacity to manufacture tests and secure approximately 200 million new over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for future federal government use.

The awardees include: $88.7 million for Access Bio in New Jersey, $4.5 million for Advin in California, $61.2 million for Azure in Texas, $86.4 million for CorDx in California, $167 million for iHealth in California, $20.7 million for InBios in Washington, $31.4 million for Kwell Laboratories in California, $49.5 million for Maxim Bio in Maryland, $5.7 million for OraSure Technologies in Pennsylvania, $28.7 million for Princeton BioMeditech in New Jersey, $28.6 million for Quidel in California and $20.5 million for Sekisui in Delaware.

Also, beginning September 25, households will again be able to order four free tests through COVIDTests.gov. People are encouraged to use the tests immediately as Americans prepare for gatherings with friends and family over the holidays.

In addition, there are numerous other options offered to get tested for free, including community-based testing sites across the country. ASPR is distributing free at-home tests to schools, nursing homes, community health centers, rural health clinics, food banks and other locations to ensure that communities have widespread access. 

Contact an HRSA health center, Test to Treat site or local ICATT location to learn how to access low- or no-cost COVID-19 tests provided by the federal government.

This article originally appeared in the September 21, 2023, issue of the Memorial Business Journal.