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.
Political Cartoons View All 1171 ImagesThe tests are designed to detect COVID variants currently circulating, and are intended for use by the end of the year.
Postal Service provided more than 755 million tests for free to homes nationwide.
O’Connell said manufacturers would be able to spread out the 200 million tests they will produce for federal use over 18 months.
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