Biden administration to ship COVID-19 test kits to American households by mid January

The Biden administration is reportedly finalizing plans to begin shipping 500 million free coronavirus rapid tests to American households in January, in a program organized alongside the U.S. Postal Service.

Although President Biden announced the plan over the holidays, key aspects — including whether contracts were signed and a launch date for the program’s website — were missing, The Washington Times reported.

The Washington Post, however, reported on Friday that logistical issues have been resolved and the government is expected to begin shipping tests by mid-January.

Over the past few weeks, Americans have been calling on the government to respond to a nationwide rapid-test shortage as infection rates continue to soar.  

The Biden administration responded by calling on insurers to reimburse covered Americans for testing related costs and signaling that its ship-to-home program would be implemented within weeks.  

“I expect we’ll have more in the next 24 hours,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday. “And as soon as we do and as soon as there are more details to report, we will let you all know. That’s what we’re working on right now.”

It remains unclear, however, if the administration’s program will be able to provide enough rapid tests to meet national demand.