Free COVID Tests Offered Ahead of Another Winter Peak Expected in Florida

Once again, Americans can order free COVID-19 test kits from the federal government.

THE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began offering the kits Thursday through the mail. It’s the first time since 2023 that the kits have been available by mail, and health experts say it’s a sign that federal health officials are predicting a strong respiratory infection season this winter.

“We may be reaching a point where COVID levels are going to increase,” said Cindy Prins, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Central Florida. “There are benefits to people getting tested, and there is also awareness that people are not necessarily going to get tested.”

Those interested in testing can receive four free kits in the mail by visiting covidtests.gov.

A sign of a coming peak

Cases in Central Florida are trending downward after a summer peak in mid-July, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Scientists are still studying the ebb and flow of COVID case rates. It defied expectations, behaving differently from other respiratory infections such as the flu or RSV, Prins said.

“We haven’t really defined yet what we expect, where we think COVID will be a winter respiratory infection. Right now there appear to be two more peaks during the year,” she said.

THE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The peak burden of hospitalizations related to respiratory illnesses like COVID, flu and RSV is expected to be similar to or lower than last year, which was about 20 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.

Using this year’s summer surge to forecast future trends, the CDC expects a peak weekly rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations of between 7.2 and 9.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 people by mid- January. Over the summer, it was about 5 per 100,000

“That still means a lot of cases for people,” Prins said.

What could change the prediction?

CDC forecasts could change due to lower-than-expected vaccination rates.

In Orange County, during the week of September 22, 2023, approximately 10,000 people were vaccinated. At the same time this year, around 280 people were vaccinated. It should be noted that in the two weeks leading up to September 22, there were between 6,000 and 5,000 shots fired. However, this year’s total of 280 shots is a dramatically low level compared to any week in fall and winter 2023, with total shots ranging between 1,600 and 10,000 shots per week.

“We have definitely seen a drop in vaccination levels. People are not necessarily getting vaccinated like in the past,” Prins said.

“COVID is still not the flu”

Over the years, Prins says, there has been a popular mindset among the public that COVID is simply a part of everyday life, but he also says it’s important to keep in mind that even While the virus has changed to be less serious for most people, it remains dangerous. .

“Our experience with COVID is that we see a lot more people hospitalized and dying from it than we usually see with the flu,” she said. “I think accepting this in your life doesn’t mean you have to turn a blind eye to the risk of getting infected with COVID.”

Additionally, the long COVID period remains a threat to many. According to the Kaiser Family Foundationabout 17 million adults reported having long COVID in April. KFF also found that about 3 in 10 adults who receive COVID report having long COVID.

The COVID-19 vaccine is free under most insurance plans. They are available and recommended for anyone 6 months and older. They are found in most pharmacies.