Joe Biden orders 500 million testing kits as Omicron increase in US

As part of new measures to combat the rising Omicron variant, US President Joe Biden's government would make 500 million fast testing for Covid available for free.

Later, Mr. Biden will deliver a speech to the nation, warning people to be cautious as the holiday season approaches.

According to a top official, there will be extra vaccines and help for hospitals, but there will be no need for a lockdown.

In the United States, Omicron has become the most common strain, accounting for approximately three-quarters of all new cases. It was only discovered last month in southern Africa, but it has now spread around the world.

Despite the fact that 73 percent of adult Americans have received full Covid vaccinations, the administration is concerned about those who have not.

According to the top official, "You are at a high risk of being ill if you have not been vaccinated. The unvaccinated are around eight times more likely to be hospitalised and 14 times more likely to sccummb to Covid than those who have been vaccinated."

According to the White House, the actions announced by Mr. Biden will "mitigate the impact unvaccinated individuals have on our health-care system."

Even vaccinated Americans will be infected by the new strain, Mr Biden will warn later in his speech, but they will get significantly less sick than the unvaccinated.

He'll emphasise the importance of wearing a mask when travelling, as well as caution when celebrating.

People in New York, Washington, and other US cities are queuing up for Omicron exams before meeting up with family members.

According to Reuters, Covid-19 cases in the United States have increased by 57% since the beginning of the month.

The Biden administration, on the other hand, claims to have "the skills to navigate through this wave," according to the person, adding, "There is no need to lock down our schools, nor our economy."

The procurement of 500 million tests contradicts a statement made just two weeks ago by White House press secretary Jen Psaki.