HHS announced its plans for continued support of SARS-CoV-2 testing efforts by states and territories in the first quarter of 2021, including:

– Continued weekly shipments of SARS-CoV-2 sample collection supplies to states and territories through at least March 2021

– Collaboration with the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide a streamlined process for states, territories, and other government agencies to purchase point-of-care diagnostic tests. Through a contract between the federal government and Abbott, states, territories, and tribes will be able to purchase tests at a fixed price through an existing Federal Supply Schedule program. The contract eliminates the need for states and territories to spend resources negotiating and establishing individual purchasing contracts with manufacturers. The maximum number of tests that states and territories will be able to purchase each month will be predetermined to help ensure adequate supplies for all on an ongoing basis. The program is expected to launch in mid-January.

– Allocating an additional 30 million Abbott BinaxNOW tests for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health care, hospice organizations, HBCUs, tribes, and other vulnerable groups likely through March 2021.