Newest Coronavirus Information
MONDAY, Feb. 28, 2022 (HealthDay Information)
As coronavirus circumstances throughout the US drop, practically half of the five hundred million free COVID exams provided by the federal authorities have gone unused, in accordance with the White Home.
It stated Individuals have positioned 68 million orders for packages of 4 free speedy exams per household, however about 46% of the exams are nonetheless up for grabs, the Related Press reported.
On the first day that the free exams had been out there in January, the COVIDtests.gov website obtained greater than 45 million orders, however fewer than 100,000 orders a day are coming in now, officers stated.
Regardless that demand has declined, the White Home will maintain this system in place.
“We completely intend to maintain this market,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response crew, instructed the AP. “We all know the market is risky and can come up and down with surges in variants.”
The Biden administration can be making free at-home exams out there at neighborhood places corresponding to libraries and clinics.
Testing will grow to be extra necessary with the easing of easing of mask mandates, some specialists say.
“If an infection management remains to be our precedence, testing is central,” Dr. Leana Wen, a former Baltimore well being commissioner, instructed the AP. “4 exams per family for one household will solely final you one time. There must be sufficient exams for households to check twice every week.”
As one other a part of its testing push, the White Home now requires insurers to cowl eight free speedy exams per particular person, monthly, and Medicare protection will begin within the spring.
Extra data
Go to the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention for extra on COVID tests.
SOURCE: Related Press
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