Free COVID-19 tests are once again available as a new and fast-moving variant emerges in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the new XEC variant out of Europe is detected in 25 states including New York.
It is a hybrid of two earlier Omicron strains from 2022, exhibiting similar symptoms while spreading faster.
The CDC reports the newest vaccine is highly effective at curbing XEC, but with without it, the virus will thrive as people treat it as a common cold or flu in the upcoming fall and winter seasons.
The CDC recommends everyone six months or older get the updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the new strain.
Federal dollars are making up to four COVID-19 tests available to every American household that orders online at COVIDTests.gov.
