The Biden administration announced a plan Wednesday to increase COVID-19 tests for schools by 10 million per month to help keep them open for in-person learning amid the omicron surge.
The White House said the administration would send 5 million free rapid tests to K-12 schools each month. The additional tests seek to help support schools implement testing and “test to stay” programs,” The Hill reports.
The administration will also make 5 million lab-based PCR tests available each month for schools to perform testing.
The tests will be funded by the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief law.
“Today the Biden-Harris Administration is doubling down on our commitment to keeping all schools safely open for full-time in-person learning by taking new action to increase access to COVID-19 testing in schools,” a White House fact sheet reads.
The Biden administration also plans to use federal “surge testing sites” to support testing for schools by setting up locations near school grounds.
