With coronavirus cases on the rise again, Americans are frustrated struggle to be tested In the days leading up to Christmas, long lines and soaring demand overwhelmed some establishments across the country.
The catalyst is the rapid propagation of the Omicron variant, has become the dominant race in America for several weeks and has led to a flurry of new measures to combat the spread.
With millions traveling or planning to attend large family gatherings, people are rushing to get tested – and many are out of luck, either by going to clinics or buying kits. home testing tool.
Long lines were seen this week in New York City, Boston and Miami, as well as Ohio and Minnesota.
At the same time, CVS Health and Walgreens – the two largest drugstore chains in the US – are limited they have announced the number of Covid home kits that customers can buy due to significant demand.
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, says demand will grow.
“We have some testing. But what we need, I think, within the next two to eight weeks will be remarkable. We’re going to see this massive surge across the country,” he said. guess.
And while the Biden administration plans to provide 500 million new tests next month, the holiday test ramp is happening right now.
A former assistant secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, he said, is concerned that the pledge on tests will not meet demand.
“Unless we have a billion or two billion a month, I think we’re still going to have to be selective to make sure that we keep the people who might die from this disease from dying from the disease,” said Dr. Brett Giroir told CNN.
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