New York: The U.S. will spend $1 billion to quadruple the availability of at-home rapid coronavirus tests by the end of the year, the White House announced on Wednesday.
Officials said that 200 million rapid tests will soon be available to Americans each month, reflecting the growing demand for at-home testing as a tool for slowing the spread of Covid-19. As the school year got underway and some employees returned to the office, pharmacies and retailers struggled to keep tests in stock, or have had to place limits on how many customers can purchase.
The rapid tests are not as sensitive as P.C.R. tests, but experts have said they are still accurate in detecting the virus in someone who is in the first week of displaying symptoms.
Related: Earlier this week, U.S. drug regulators authorized Acon Laboratories’ at-home test, which officials said could double at-home testing capacity in the coming weeks.
