WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump outlined plans Monday to disperse 150 million previously promised rapid coronavirus tests, urging governors to use the supplies to prioritize school reopenings for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Today, @realDonaldTrump announced his administration’s plan to distribute 150 million rapid point-of-care coronavirus tests.
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) September 28, 2020
“50 million tests will go to protect the most vulnerable communities, which we’ve always promised to do.” pic.twitter.com/NAtLYraLqX
The tests, first promoted by the White House in August, will be distributed to states based on population density and can be dispersed at each governor’s discretion, CNN reported.
Letter to governors on #COVID19 testing from @POTUS. pic.twitter.com/QgAWwFcIAP
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) September 29, 2020
White House officials said during a Monday news conference in the Rose Garden that 100 million tests, manufactured by Abbott Laboratories, will be distributed to governors over the next several weeks with 6.5 million tests slated for delivery this week, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Trump said the first two-thirds of the available tests “will be given to states and territories to support efforts to reopen their economies and schools immediately and (as) fast as they can,” CNN reported.
The final 50 million tests, Trump said, will be used “to protect the most vulnerable communities,” including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospice care, historically Black colleges and tribal nation colleges, the network reported.
.@realDonaldTrump’s 150 million rapid, point-of-care #covid19 tests to states is a good start but many more will be needed. Equitable, widespread distribution will be key; also must ensure data collection on positive cases or else could lead to undercount. https://t.co/SzQ3gjWJ5X
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) September 28, 2020
According to the Tribune, Trump’s announcement comes as the United States averages more than 40,000 new COVID-19 infections per day.
Cox Media Group