(Photo by Evan Vucci/Associated Press)
In response to rising COVID-19 cases involving the omicron variant, President Joe Biden has announced that the US has purchased 500 million COVID rapid test kits. These are expected to be delivered to households starting in January. He said that the government will create a website for households to request kits, but further details are expected to be announced at a later date such as a limit on kits that a household can request.
President Biden also announced plans for establishing more federal testing sites before the end of 2021 in addition to the 20,000 already in place. To help hospital with overflow, President Biden is expected to utilize members from the military, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Defense Department.
The omicron variant has accounted for approximately 73% of new cases in the US, including the first known death.