WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced the purchase of a half-billion, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and the mobilization of 1,000 military medical personnel to overburdened hospitals, as officials confront for a new surge in infections driven by the omicron variant.
The president unveiled the stepped-up measures in a speech from the White House as the nation – already fatigued by a pandemic that's lasted nearly two years –faces surging COVID-19 infections.
Biden said Americans will be able to request the free-at-home COVID-19 tests be mailed to their homes by accessing an online website. It comes as shortages have led to long lines and overwhelmed hospitals in hot spots while Americans crisscross the country for the holiday season.
"I know you're tired. I know you're frustrated. We all want this to be over," Biden said in his remarks from the White House State Dining Room "But we're still in it. And this is a critical moment. But we also have more tools than we've ever had before."
Americans will not be able to request the at-home tests online until January, meaning they can't access the kits before millions are expected to travel for Christmas. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the federal government is still working through details of the program, including how whether some groups would be prioritized.
The 500 million tests – among eight versions approved by the Food and Drug Administration – are in addition to 50 million tests the Biden administration began distributing this month to community health centers.
The U.S. has lagged behind other nations in testing capacity. Pressed by reporters about the shortages, Biden said, "I don't think anybody anticipated that this was going to be as rapidly spreading as it did."
The moves come as the country faces a new stumbling block in the fight against COVID-19: Federal health officials announced Monday the omicron variant accounted for 73% of new cases last week, a nearly six-fold increase in the new variant’s share of infections in only one week.
Biden thanked Americans for their "perseverance and courage" and returned to a familiar message: urging Americans to get vaccinated and receive their third booster shot. He stressed the unvaccinated face a greater likelihood of hospitalization or death from COVID-19.
"If you're not fully vaccinated, you have good reason to be concerned," Biden said, adding that the unvaccinated might think they're only putting themselves at risk but are "putting other people at risk. Their loved ones. They're friends. Neighbors. Strangers you run into."
Biden told people who are vaccinated to "remain vigilant" and wear face masks indoors in public settings but said they are protected from severe illness and death.
"If you got your booster shot, if you are vaccinated and follow the precautions that we all know well, you should feel comfortable celebrating Christmas and the holidays as you plan," Biden said. "You've done the right thing."
Biden noted that former President Donald Trump, who has many followers hesitant of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, said over the weekend that he received his booster shot.
"Maybe one of the few things he and I agree on."
Biden rejected any suggestion that the U.S. has returned to where it was in March 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic started
"No, this is not March of 2020. Two hundred million people are fully vaccinated. We're prepared. We know more. We just have to stay focused."
The president announced plans to send six emergency response teams to Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arizona, New Hampshire and Vermont and will stand up new federal testing sites with the first location in New York City this week.
"This free testing is going to help reduce the waiting lines," Biden said. "Sometimes it's hours. We're going to continue to add federal testing sites where needed, so if you want an immediate test, there's a place where you can go get it." – USA TODAY article titled, "Biden announces free rapid COVID-19 tests and help for overwhelmed hospitals amid omicron threat" Published: 4:00 a.m. ET Dec. 21, 2021 Updated: 3:51 p.m. ET Dec. 21, 2021 . . . GIF 2021 × 2021px 2021 (715153)
