Sep 21, 2021 - Health
Manufacturers warn COVID rapid test shortages are coming
- Mike Allen, author of Axios AM
At-home COVID-19 test. Photo: Abbott via AP
Manufacturers are warning that the U.S. is, at best, weeks away from the production levels needed for President Biden's plan of mass-scale rapid COVID-19 testing.
The big picture: The U.S. has been far more cautious than places like Britain about embracing rapid, at-home testing, AP notes.
The result: Places like schools are far behind target on testing students, despite $10 billion in federal funds.
- A recent survey of 100 large districts found fewer than 15% required any testing for students.
The bottom line: The reduced-price rapid tests the Biden administration negotiated are still pricey for anything other than one-off use.
- The cheapest test is about $15 for a two-pack after discounts.
Flashback to February: Why we're still waiting for rapid, at-home COVID tests, by Axios Future editor Bryan Walsh