US Orders 100 Million COVID Tests, White House Says More Needed

The United States will boost its stockpile of at-home COVID-19 tests, ordering more than 100 million tests from domestic manufacturers, the White House said on Thursday.
COVID-19 home test kits are pictured in a store window in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, Jan. 19, 2022 (Image SOurce- VOA)
COVID-19 home test kits are pictured in a store window in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, Jan. 19, 2022 (Image SOurce- VOA)
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The United States will boost its stockpile of at-home COVID-19 tests, ordering more than 100 million tests from domestic manufacturers, the White House said on Thursday, but warned it was a short-term solution.

President Joe Biden's administration has repeatedly and unsuccessfully asked Congress for more pandemic money. It said last week it would request $22.4 billion in emergency funding for COVID-19 relief ahead of a potential case surge in autumn.

"The administration is acting, within its limited funding, to increase the supply of at-home COVID-19 tests in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) by purchasing over 100 million additional at-home, rapid tests from domestic manufacturers," the White House said in a statement.

The United States will boost its stockpile of at-home COVID-19 tests, ordering more than 100 million tests from domestic manufacturers, the White House said on Thursday (Image Source- Unsplash)
The United States will boost its stockpile of at-home COVID-19 tests, ordering more than 100 million tests from domestic manufacturers, the White House said on Thursday (Image Source- Unsplash)

The administration has warned it would be unable to provide enough tests, vaccines and treatments without more funding. Thursday's announcement comes a week after it suspended orders of free tests from its COVIDTests.gov website as of September 2.

The administration is acting, within its limited funding, to increase the supply of at-home COVID-19 tests in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) by purchasing over 100 million additional at-home, rapid tests from domestic manufacturers.
White House

"While insufficient to adequately replenish our existing stockpile of at-home tests, this procurement will help meet some testing needs in the months ahead and will put us in a better position to manage a potential increase in testing demand this fall and winter," the White House said of the new tests.

President Joe Biden's administration said last week it would request $22.4 billion in emergency funding for COVID-19 relief ahead of a potential case surge in autumn (Image Source- Unsplash)
President Joe Biden's administration said last week it would request $22.4 billion in emergency funding for COVID-19 relief ahead of a potential case surge in autumn (Image Source- Unsplash)

It did not say if ordering from COVIDTests.gov, through which 600 million tests have been delivered, would resume as a result. It said last week that orders through the website would resume if Congress provides funding.

The administration is also launching a telehealth "Test to Treat" program that will allow people in 15 rural and high-risk communities to get tests delivered to their homes, use telehealth to consult a clinician, and get antiviral treatments prescribed and delivered if necessary at no cost, it said.

COVID-19 home test kits are pictured in a store window in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, Jan. 19, 2022 (Image SOurce- VOA)
Free, voluntary Covid-19 PCR tests for arrivals in Israel

There are currently 2,800 "Test to Treat" sites where people can be tested at a pharmacy and immediately receive free pills if they test positive. (FH/VOA)

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