"COVID-19 Testing: Free Government Orders, Expiry Concerns, and Testing Guidelines Explained"
US households can now order four free Covid tests from the government through COVIDTests.gov. The CDC and FDA recommend one dose of the updated vaccine for everyone six months and older, with some children eligible for up to three doses. Hospitalizations and deaths have been rising, and two new variants, Pirola and Eris, are being monitored. Four prisoners in Arkansas settled a lawsuit after being given ivermectin without consent, winning $2,000 each. Novavax has shipped millions of updated Covid vaccines, with availability expected by the end of the week. GOP politicians have raised concerns about the safety of the updated vaccines, but health authorities maintain they are safe and effective. The CDC offers the Covid vaccine for free through the Bridge Access Program. Most hospitalizations are among those 65 and older, with a low percentage having received the recommended booster. Covid hospitalizations are declining for the second week in a row. New York City has stopped reporting vaccination data, and experts warn of a possible uptick in cases. New research suggests the existence of "long colds" with symptoms similar to long Covid.
