CVS, Walgreens remove limits on at-home COVID-19 tests

Pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens have removed all limits on at-home COVID-19 tests, The New York Times reported. 

In December, both companies placed a cap on the number of tests customers could buy in stores and online to keep up with the spread of the omicron variant. 

Representatives of both companies told the Times that they have now been able to increase their inventory of the over-the-counter virus testing kits.

The decision comes as COVID-19 cases have dropped significantly in recent weeks, to an average of about 300,000 cases a day in the U.S., down from more than 800,000 in mid-January. 

Throughout the pandemic, the U.S. has struggled with COVID-19 testing shortages, which was highlighted by long lines at testing sites and empty shelves at pharmacies around the holidays. 

The Biden administration launched a website last month where people can order four free virus testing kits for their households through the United States Postal Service.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also announced last week that the 60 million Americans who have Medicare coverage will be provided with free COVID-19 testing kits by the start of spring, the Times noted.