WASHINGTON — President Biden on Thursday stepped up his administration’s response to a coronavirus surge driven by the Omicron variant, sending what he said is urgently needed help to overwhelmed hospitals and pledging to provide Americans with free tests and masks as the country enters the pandemic’s third year.
Mr. Biden said he was directing his staff to purchase an additional 500 million coronavirus tests for distribution to Americans, doubling the government’s previous purchase as his administration scrambles to respond to the highly contagious Omicron variant.
The president also stated that he would send 120 military medical personnel in six states with overflowing hospitals. He also promised to announce next week plans to assist Americans by providing high-quality, free masks that are more effective in preventing infection from the virus.
As Vice President Biden was getting ready to hear from the leaders of the White House’s Covid response team on Thursday morning, the announcement regarding additional tests came.
“That will mean a billion tests in total to meet future demand,” Mr. Biden said. “And we’ll continue to work with the retailers and online retailers to increase availability.”
However, it is not known when the tests might be made available. According to White House officials, the first batch of 500,000,000 tests was announced by Mr. Biden just before Christmas. However, the first batch will not begin being delivered until the end of the month. On Friday, details about how Americans can request these tests, including a government-run website, will be revealed.
The president did not specify when the new batch, which will contain 500 million tests, would be ready for distribution. But he said the at-home tests — along with more than 20,000 testing sites around the country — will help to meet the surging demand as people try to continue work, school and social life despite the rapid spread of the virus.
“We’re on track to roll out a website next week where you can order free tests shipped to your home,” he said, adding that people with medical insurance can also soon get reimbursed for the purchase of up to eight tests a month.
Biden did not give any details on what he claimed would be a plan for Americans to have access to high quality masks. Experts say that N95 and KN95 masks provide better protection against the Omicron variant than common surgical or cloth masks.
“As I’ve said in the last two years, please wear a mask. I think it’s part of your patriotic duty,” he said, acknowledging “it’s not that comfortable, it’s a pain in the neck.”
Mr. Biden stated that the announcement about hospital assistance was the beginning of a deployment for 1,000 service members to assist doctors and nurses in dealing with an increase in Omicron cases.
The president joined Lloyd J. Austin III, defense secretary, and Deanne Kriswell, director of Federal Emergency Management Agency, at White House to describe the teams headed to hard-hit communities across America. Mr. Biden indicated late last month that he would tap military personnel to help hospitals in January.
The president announced that the new teams would arrive at hospitals in Michigan (New Jersey, New Mexico), New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and New Mexico to assist patients.
The Coronavirus Pandemic – Key Facts to Know
The deployments are part of the Biden administration’s efforts to tackle the latest surge of cases caused by the highly contagious Omicron variant. It has increased in number, with more than 780,000 cases being reported every day. The number of Americans being treated with Covid-19 has reached a record high of approximately 142,000.
As he enters his second term, Mr. Biden’s inability to control the pandemic has hurt his approval ratings. His aides will make public their efforts to combat the virus.
Officials said that since Thanksgiving, when Omicron was discovered in South Africa’s first instance, the administration has sent more than 800 military and emergency personnel, including personnel Mr. Biden announced Thursday.
Officials said that more than 14,000 National Guard members were activated in 49 states to assist hospitals with testing, vaccinations and other medical services. The American Rescue Plan, which Mr. Biden championed during his term, paid for these deployments.
“To the military medical teams on the ground, thank you for all everything you’re doing,” the president said.
Officials stated that more military medical personnel would likely be deployed as the country continues to battle the pandemic.
Zachary MontagueContributed reporting
Source: NY Times
