Jarrett Renshaw & Ahmed Aboulenein

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The Biden administration plans to open Federal COVID-19 Testing Sites in New York City and purchase 500 million home rapid tests. Americans will be able to order these free online in January. This is in an effort against the Omicron strain that has been sweeping the nation.

According to a top administration official, Joe Biden is going to speak Tuesday to make Americans aware of the serious consequences of being unvaccinated.

These measures include the activation of approximately 1,000 military personnel in support of hospitals.

Unvaccinated people are more at risk for getting sick. The variant is extremely transmissible, and those who aren’t vaccinated will be eight times more likely than others to end up in hospital and fourteen times more likely die from COVID.” the official stated.

The holiday season is already underway, and new COVID-19 infections are soaring in the United States. It has prompted federal and local officials alike to confront the question of how to stop the spread. Omicron was the source of 73% of all cases now, as opposed to less than 1 percent at the start of the month.

Officials in Texas reported Monday that the state had recorded the ABC News report, which is said to have been the first U.S. death linked to Omicron.

Last month, the highly contagious variant was detected in two countries in Africa: South Africa, Hong Kong. Since then, it has been tracked around the world and reported in 89 countries.

Over the weekend, there were lines for COVID-19 test in New York City and Washington as well as other U.S. Cities. People clamored to discover if their symptoms had caused them to miss the holiday season.

Biden, who is being criticized for not having sufficient testing resources, will announce Tuesday that 500 million rapid at-home tests will be purchased by the federal government and made available to every American in January.

Americans have access to a website that allows them to be delivered. Officials are not yet clear on the number of tests each household is allowed.

A senior administration official stated that the administration would also open federal testing centers in New York City, starting before Christmas.

The official stated that more federal sites would be open in the nation’s high-need areas and upon request by state and local officials.

“TAKE ACTION NOW”

Official stated, “Testing is much more efficient in this country than it used to be. But there are still many things we need to do. We’re doing our best and taking steps now.”

In addition, the free test is part of a plan that will see health insurers offer free testing for Americans. Coverage is due to commence in January.

Biden will mention that Omicron is contagious and will infect all Americans, but they are far more likely to become seriously ill.

“Breakthrough infections” are on the rise among 61% of fully-vaccinated citizens, and 30% who have had booster shots.

Biden is still going to tell Americans, however, that Americans who have been vaccinated and adhere to the guidelines regarding wearing masks while on vacation, will be comfortable with celebrating as they planned.

The number of new cases of COVID-19 in America rose 9% over the last week, but has increased 57% since December 1, according to a Reuters tally.

This month’s hospitalizations of COVID-19 victims have increased by 26%. Hospitals in certain areas are already being strained due to the Delta variant which emerged earlier this year.

Since the outbreak, there have been nearly 51 million cases of infection and 809 268 deaths from coronavirus-related causes in this country. This is the highest number reported by any country.