Biden Administration Invests $600 Million in At-Home COVID-19 Tests and Restarts Order Website
In a significant move to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration has allocated $600 million in funding to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests. This initiative comes alongside the reopening of the website that allows Americans to order up to four free tests per household. The primary goal is to prevent potential shortages during the expected rise in coronavirus cases, particularly during the colder months.
Starting September 25th, individuals can place their orders for free tests at COVIDTests.gov. These tests will then be delivered at no cost to recipients through the United States Postal Service.
Manufacturers at the Helm
To ensure a steady supply of at-home COVID-19 tests, twelve manufacturers operating in seven states have been awarded funding. They are tasked with producing 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles designated for government use. Simultaneously, they will manufacture enough tests to meet the demand for those ordered online. This strategy aims to safeguard against potential supply chain issues that have caused shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during previous surges in cases.
Dawn O’Connell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), emphasized that the website will continue to accept orders throughout the holiday season. Moreover, it may remain open longer if an increase in cases is observed.
She stated, “If there is a demand for these tests, we want to make sure that they’re made available to the American people for free in this way. But, at this point, our focus is getting through the holidays and making sure folks can take a test if they’re going to see Grandma for Thanksgiving.”
These tests are designed to detect current COVID variants and are intended for use by the end of the year. The packaging will also include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
Building on Past Success
This initiative builds upon four previous rounds where federal officials, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service, distributed over 755 million tests to households across the nation free of charge. Additionally, it complements ongoing efforts to provide free COVID tests to various sectors, including long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals, and underserved communities. These efforts have resulted in the distribution of 500 million tests to date, with a weekly distribution rate of 4 million.
A Strategic Approach
Manufacturers have the flexibility to spread out the production of 200 million tests designated for federal use over an 18-month period. This approach ensures that as demand for home tests surges via the website or at U.S. retailers during spikes in COVID cases, manufacturers can focus on fulfilling those orders. Subsequently, they will have additional avenues for distributing tests during periods of reduced demand.
Dawn O’Connell emphasized the seasonal pattern of COVID cases, particularly during colder months when people move indoors, stating, “We’ve seen every winter, as people move indoors into heated spaces, away from the outside, that over each of the seasons that COVID’s been a concern, that we have seen cases go up.”
While there’s always a possibility of new variants emerging, the focus of this initiative is on preparing for the fall and winter seasons ahead and the potential for an increase in cases during this period.
HHS Secretary’s Perspective
Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, expressed the administration’s commitment to reducing reliance on overseas manufacturing. He stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration, in partnership with domestic manufacturers, has made great strides in addressing vulnerabilities in the U.S. supply chain by reducing our reliance on overseas manufacturing.” These investments are expected to enhance domestic production levels of at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and contribute to mitigating the spread of the virus.
As the fight against COVID-19 continues, initiatives like this underscore the importance of preparedness and proactive measures to ensure the well-being of the American people.
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