WASHINGTON >> The Biden administration announced today that it is allocating $600 million in funding to produce innovative COVID-19 tests that can be used at home. Additionally, the administration is relaunching a website, COVIDTests.gov, where Americans can once again order up to four free tests per household. This initiative aims to prevent potential shortages of tests during the colder months when coronavirus cases tend to increase.
Starting on September 25, individuals can visit COVIDTests.gov to place their orders. The Department of Health and Human Services has partnered with the United States Postal Service to ensure that the tests are delivered free of charge to households across the country.
The funding will be provided to twelve manufacturers located in seven states. These manufacturers will produce a total of 200 million over-the-counter tests, which will replenish the federal stockpiles for government use. Additionally, they will be able to meet the demand for tests ordered on the website. This approach will help mitigate any supply chain issues that occurred in the past and led to shortages of at-home COVID tests manufactured overseas during previous surges in cases.
Dawn O’Connell, assistant secretary for preparedness and response at HHS, stated that the website will remain operational throughout the holidays. She mentioned that they might prolong its availability if there is an increase in cases. O’Connell emphasized the importance of ensuring free access to tests for the American people, especially during family gatherings such as Thanksgiving.
The tests are specifically designed to detect the COVID variants currently circulating. They are expected to be ready for use by the end of this year. The department also confirmed that the tests will include instructions on how to verify extended expiration dates.
This initiative follows four previous rounds where federal officials and the U.S. Postal Service distributed more than 755 million free tests to households nationwide.
Furthermore, this effort is intended to complement ongoing federal programs that provide free COVID tests to various entities, including long-term care facilities, schools, low-income senior housing, uninsured individuals, and underserved communities. These programs have already distributed 4 million tests per week and a total of 500 million tests to date.
O’Connell explained that manufacturers will have 18 months to produce the 200 million tests for federal use. This timeframe allows the producers to prioritize fulfilling orders received through the website or from U.S. retailers when COVID cases are on the rise. However, during periods of decreased demand, the manufacturers can still distribute the tests through alternative channels.
O’Connell highlighted that historically, as the colder seasons approach and people spend more time indoors, COVID cases have tended to increase. While she acknowledged the possibility of new variants emerging, she clarified that the primary goal of this initiative is to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter seasons and the potential increase in cases during that time.
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra praised the collaboration between the Biden-Harris Administration and domestic manufacturers. Acknowledging the vulnerabilities in the supply chain, Becerra stated that these investments will strengthen the production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus.
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