$1.6 Billion to Expand COVID-19 Testing

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on July 22, 2021, it will invest more than $1.6 billion from the American Rescue Plan to support testing and mitigation measures in high-risk congregate settings to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and detect and stem potential outbreaks.  

This HHS funding will expand activities to detect, diagnose, trace, and monitor infections and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in homeless shelters, treatment and recovery facilities, domestic violence shelters, and federal, state, and local correctional facilities across the USA.

“As we continue the vaccination program to get more Americans protected, it is important that we double down on our efforts to increase testing, especially in vulnerable communities,” commented HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in a press statement.

“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, we can make sure high-risk environments like correctional facilities and shelters for those experiencing homelessness have a greater capacity for testing to prevent potential outbreaks and continue our nation’s progress in moving out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

HHS Frequently Asked Questions are published at this weblink.