Feds procure over 400 million test kits
At-home COVID tests can be ordered starting Jan. 19, with delivery within two weeks; tests detect omicron, officials say. And the CDC gives us a script to use to tell friends, "I tested positive!"
The White House on Friday laid out plans for Americans to order up to four free at-home COVID-19 test kits so that people can determine whether they are infected and avoid spreading the virus. Testing is seen as more important than ever, because fully vaccinated individuals are more likely to become infected with the omicron variant without knowing it.
Orders can be placed starting Jan. 19 via a not-yet-ready website, CovidTests.gov, or via telephone on a number to be announced later.
Delivery to most addresses will be via First Class Mail within 7-12 days of the order, said a senior administration official who briefed reporters on condition that their name would not be used.
The government has contracts for purchasing 420 million of the 1 billion tests that President Biden promised in remarks Thursday.
“We are confident in their accuracy,” said another senior administration official, adding that the contracts are for tests that have been analyzed and proven capable of detecting the omicron variant, “consistent with” the FDA’s emergency use authorization for each test kit.
In addition to the free distribution, 375 million at-home test kits are being distributed via retail and other channels, the administration officials said. This represents an increase from 300 million in December, 100 million in November, and 46 million in October. The first EUA for at-home test kits was issued in October 2021. Insurance companies are to cover the cost of up to eight kits per month starting Saturday.
Meanwhile, the CDC published a guide for those difficult phone calls to tell contacts that you tested positive. Here’s an example script:
“Hi. I need to talk to you about something important. Do you have a few minutes to talk privately? I was diagnosed with COVID-19 (or tested positive) on [xxx date]. We spent time together on [xxx date], and I wanted to let you know, so that you can follow recommendations to quarantine, get tested, or wear a mask to protect your family and others within and outside your household.”
New cases, hospitalizations and deaths are still going up, although there’s encouraging data from Boston, D.C. and some other places suggesting that the omicron peak may have passed in those areas. Although a significant number of new hospitalizations are people admitted for reasons other than COVID-19, COVID-19 infections are significant factors in their care and treatment, both from the complications of COVID-19 itself and the impact of the pandemic on staffing.
The US could reach 1 million COVID-19 deaths by early Spring.
In other news:
The administration hopes that private business leaders will adopt vaccine requirements, even though the Supreme Court’s ruling Thursday blocks the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from enforcing its COVID-19 protection emergency rules. Among concerns raised by observers: the ruling has the potential to gut other worker safety rules, far beyond COVID-19 or other infectious diseases. The requirement that nearly all workers in federally-supported healthcare facilities must be vaccinated was upheld by the Court.
The criticism of the Biden administration’s health communications continues. This NPR piece delves into the psychology and challenges of getting COVID-19 information to the broader American population.
The World Health Organization Friday updated its COVID-19 treatment guidelines to add two drugs to the tool chest. The arthritis drug baricitinib is effective in treating severe or critical patients and reduce the need for mechanical ventilation. Sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody developed by GlaxoSmithKline and Vir, may be useful for some high-risk patients.
States now are permitted to assign National Guard members to ancillary roles such as food service or logistics at strained hospitals, FEMA announced. Previously, NG was primarily used for more direct patient care roles.
And a useful article about masks:
12 Signs You Have a Fake N95, KN95, or KF94 Mask | Wirecutter (nytimes.com)
Have a safe weekend.