Approx half of Biden admin’s 500 million free COVID-19 tests for the public remain unclaimed in the US

With a decline in the number of new coronavirus cases in the United States, approximately 50% of the 500 million free COVID-19 tests made available to the public have not been claimed. The cases are declining and individuals are becoming less motivated to test. COVIDtests.gov got over 45 million orders on the first day of the White House test giveaway in January. Officials are now witnessing fewer than 100,000 orders per day for the packages of four free quick tests per household.

According to the White House, Americans have made 68 million orders for COVID-19 test packages. This still leaves around 46% of the stock available for ordering. Some independent experts claim testing will become more crucial as mask criteria loosen. The White House sees the testing programme as a first phase toward a more extensive, yet more flexible, testing infrastructure that can deal with surges in demand while continuing on standby when cases decline.

“We intend to sustain this market,” said Dr Tom Inglesby, testing adviser to the COVID-19 response team. “We know the market is volatile and will come up and down with surges invariants.” 

46% of the stock is still available for ordering

Meanwhile, Dr Leana Wen, a former Baltimore health commissioner, said, “If infection control is still our priority, testing is central. Four tests per household for one family will only last you one time. There should be enough tests for families to test twice a week.” She further stated that people still need a guide for when to test and how often. 

Making everything convenient, private insurance companies will now cover up to eight free quick tests per person every month. In the spring, medicare coverage will be accessible. Free at-home testing are available through libraries, clinics, and other community locations. The ability for labs to do more detailed PCR COVID-19 tests has been increased. To deliver vaccines, the White House proposed the Pentagon and portions of the Department of Health and Human Services that had worked together on the Trump administration’s vaccine development project.

It’s unspecific what will happen to the White House giveaway programme now that need has plunged. One option is to approve repeat orders. Although the programme is still in its premature stages, Kaiser Family Foundation analyst Lindsey Dawson believes it will have a lasting impact by making more individuals aware of the importance of testing

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