Per Colorado Senator Cory Gardner, “I commend the Trump Administration for committing to distribute rapid COVID-19 tests that can be used in schools. This announcement comes after my request to deliver rapid COVID-19 tests to schools across the country to encourage in-person learning. Robust and accurate COVID-19 testing helps ensure that schools can identify cases early to prevent potential outbreaks before they begin. While some schools and counties have been able to implement robust testing strategies, many others continue to struggle with both the affordability and availability of testing. This announcement could especially benefit rural schools in Colorado that are not located near convenient and accessible testing sites.”
Following a request from U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-CO), the Trump Administration announced today it will send 100 million rapid point-of-care COVID-19 tests to states with the encouragement that states use these tests to support in-person education. Earlier this month, Gardner wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) requesting that schools be included in future state distribution plans for rapid COVID-19 testing.
These tests are in addition to the 2.2 million tests previously delivered to nursing homes and 988,000 for assisted living centers. Senator Gardner sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency on May 12, 2020 requesting support for senior care providers.
In July, Gardner introduced the bipartisan Timely and Effective Systematic Testing (TEST) Act, which would strengthen the nation’s health preparedness efforts for COVID-19 recovery and future pandemics. It would require a plan for diagnostic testing and public health system integration to better detect infectious diseases, prevent outbreaks, and avoid future economic shutdowns related to pandemics.
Cory Gardner is a member of the U.S. Senate serving Colorado. He sits on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee, and is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.
