Baker said the order was placed with iHealth, the same California-based manufacturer that provided the 2.1 million tests purchased last month and distributed to select cities and towns. The first tests are expected to begin arriving in Massachusetts this week, and the size and timing of additional shipments will depend on supply chain availability between now and March.
The governor also said he was activating an additional 500 members of the National Guard to assist with staffing challenges at hospitals around the state, and the Department of Public Health issued new guidance on when residents should get tested for COVID-19. Baker said people should get tested if they are symptomatic, or if they have been a confirmed close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and who is in quarantine. The new recommendations for testing come in response to the struggle many residents have experienced getting a PCR test for COVID-19, with long lines and appointments in short supply as infections surge.
The DPH guidance, according to Baker, makes clear that in most cases rapid antigen tests should suffice for schools, employers and child care centers who require people to get tested in order to return after exposure or infection, and that PCR tests should not be required.The announcement came hours before Baker is slated to testify before the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness and Management on his administration's response to the omicron surge.
"'Testing, testing, testing...' Everywhere I go, that's all I hear is we need more testing - in schools, hospitals & communities...," Senate President Karen Spilka tweeted Tuesday morning, teasing the oversight hearing later in the day when she said she hoped to hear more from Baker and Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders on the topic.
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Source: newscientist - 🏆 541. / 51 Read more »
White House Says Private Insurers to Cover Rapid Covid-19 TestsPrivate insurers will have to cover the cost starting Saturday under a Biden administration plan that aims to make it more affordable for people to screen for infections and limit the spread of the Omicron variant. What grade am I in? I must've forgot. I should just go out to the desert for a few days, whunot? Curious, attentive, and courteous people just make me wonder where they get their ideas and values from. Everyone is different but we all take the Sim coerces. 🗓️ 01.10.2022 🚨 Americans NOT Vaccinated: 🔴 86,401,727 ================= 🇺🇸 Americans Vaccinated: 🥇 247,051,363 = 1st Vaccine Shot ⬆️ 74.4% 🥇 207,796,335 = 2nd Vaccine Shot ⬆️ 62.6% 🥇 75,816,800 = Vaccine Booster Shot ⬆️ 36.5% 🖥️ | CDCgov
Source: WSJ - 🏆 98. / 63 Read more »
How Reliable Are Covid-19 Rapid Tests for Detecting Omicron?At-home rapid antigen tests are in demand to help us assess risk during the current surge in Covid-19 infections. But recent studies raise questions about how effective the tests are at detecting the Omicron variant. I know we all probably might have heard about Bitcoin but don't know how it works, I tried it in a week ago by a man who recommended me to Dpurplewomanfx on Twitter she guides me through and i made a return of $10500 after a week of trading, connect with her Dpurplewomanfx Bolsonaro is lying to the world. Do not put your Money in Brasil. I had 2 negative rapids and a positive PCR. My bf had four negative rapids and a positive PCR. This isn't surprising. However, PCR tests are harder to come by near me.
Source: WSJ - 🏆 98. / 63 Read more »
Why are rapid tests for COVID-19 in such short supply?Given that the U.S. has been experiencing COVID waves for nearly two years, you may be wondering: How did we find ourselves in this situation? Public health experts explain the roots of the shortfall and what might be done to avoid one next time. Fauci and his China lab.
Source: latimes - 🏆 11. / 82 Read more »
Insurers to cover at-home COVID-19 tests starting Jan. 15Starting Saturday, private health insurers will be required to cover up to eight home COVID-19 tests per month for people on their plans.
Source: chicagotribune - 🏆 8. / 91 Read more »
Home Covid-19 tests must be paid for by health insurers starting SaturdayHealth insurers must cover the cost of home Covid-19 tests starting January 15, the US Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday. I’d buy some, with or without insurance help, IF only I could find some to buy!
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »