Experts say country facing shortage at-home COVID-19 test shortage

Medical experts say COVID-19 testing is still a critical aspect of fighting this pandemic and using at-home COVID tests have made that process easier.

Only a few companies are authorized by the FDA to make those at-home rapid tests and experts say initially there wasn’t much demand for them.

But now, some say there’s a major shortage of at-home tests after a summer of the delta variant and breakthrough covid cases.

Public policy associate professor Zoë McLaren said demand for these at-home testing kits jumped over the last few months.

“People are recognizing the value of these tests, and their ability to help us get back to normal even if we haven’t yet reached herd immunity with the vaccination and kids aren’t vaccinated yet,” said McLaren, who teaches at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Similar to the toilet paper rush of March 2020, McLaren said it’ll take some time for companies to catch up. She expects demand will only increase as the flu and cold season begins.

“Because all of a sudden when toilet paper was more available, people would stock up because they’re worried about future shortages. So as the supply of rapid tests picks up people are going to start buying it up and storing them at home,” said McLaren.

McLaren said the increased demand can also lead to the increased price which impacts those who need it most.

“We want them to be widely available, free would be fantastic. But if we could get the price below $5 per test, below $1 per test, those that would really make a big difference in the pandemic, because we help us catch cases early, would help us slow transmission,” she said.

The White House says Walmart, Amazon and Kroger are also selling these tests at cost for the next three months.

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