EXPANDING TESTING ACCESS
- The FDA has issued emergency approval for multiple new commercial coronavirus tests to significantly expand testing across the country.
- The President secured legislation that will ensure Americans are able to be tested for free.
- The Administration is working with state and local partners and the private sector to open up drive-through testing sites.
- The Administration worked with Apple to launch an app and website to help Americans determine if they should seek care for coronavirus, and provide them guidance on next steps.
- HHS is providing funding to help accelerate the development of rapid diagnostic tests for the coronavirus.
- The FDA cut red tape to expand testing availability.
- Admiral Brett Giroir – the Assistant Secretary for Health and head of the Public Health Service – has been appointed to coordinate coronavirus testing efforts.
- The FDA is empowering states to authorize tests developed and used by laboratories in their states.
- The Department of Defense has set up 15 coronavirus testing sites worldwide.
- The President signed legislation requiring more reporting from state and private labs to ensure our public health officials have the data they need to respond to this outbreak.
- DoD and HHS worked to airlift hundreds of thousands of swabs and sample test kits from Italy to the United States.
