By WILL WEISSERT, The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it is providing $600 million to produce new at-home COVID-19 tests and restarting a website allowing Americans to order free ones.
Four free tests will be available per household. The aim is to prevent possible shortages during a rise in coronavirus cases that has typically come during colder months.
The Department of Health and Human Services says orders can be placed at COVIDTests.gov starting Sept. 25, and that no-cost tests will be delivered for free by the U.S. Postal Service.
Twelve manufacturers that employ hundreds of people in seven states have been awarded funding and will produce 200 million over-the-counter tests to replenish federal stockpiles for government use, in addition to producing enough tests to meet demand for tests ordered online, the department said.
Federal officials said that will help guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests made overseas during past surges in coronavirus cases.
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