U.S. orders 100 mln additional COVID-19 tests to give out

Sugarmade

28/01/2022 21:35

By Carl O'Donnell
    Jan 28 (Reuters) - The United States government has procured
more than 100 million additional COVID-19 tests from testmaker
iHealth Lab Inc. as part of the White House's plan to distribute
500 million free at-home tests across the country, the
Department of Defense said Friday. 
    Starting in January, the U.S. government has been allowing
households to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the
website COVIDTests.gov with shipping expected within seven to 12
days of ordering.  L1N2TU2S0 
    The batch of free tests are aimed at easing a shortage of
tests across the country amid increased demand during the rapid
spread of the Omicron variant.
    Reuters reported earlier this month that the White House
plans to purchase an additional 500 million tests on top of its
initial purchase to increase test availability. L1N2TT1EP 
    The president has come under criticism for not focusing more
on testing earlier as part of his strategy for fighting the
pandemic. A nationwide shortage of tests has plagued the
pandemic response in recent weeks during the rampant spread of
the highly contagious Omicron variant.    

 (Reporting by Carl O'Donnell
Editing by Alistair Bell)
 ((Carl.ODonnell@thomsonreuters.com; 646-223-6629;))