Hassan Brings 60,000 COVID-19 Tests to NH

After hearing about a lack of COVID-19 tests in New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan was told during a Senate committee hearing today that the state will receive 60,000 rapid antigen tests.

Hassan wrote a letter to the Biden Administration asking for the tests and got the news from Dawn O’Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at HHS. The tests will arrive from manufactured Abbott in 10,000 increments for six weeks meaning 60,000 tests will be in New Hampshire by Christmas.

O’Connell said her office will continue to watch the time it takes to get back results.

The state has set up four new testing centers around the state including the Fox Run Mall in Newington. All are open seven days and be able to administer 150 tests a day. There will be a one day turnaround on results that will allow children to return quickly to school.

During the hearing Hassan also asked Dr. Anthony Fauci if he believed COVID-19 vaccines would be available to children under the age of five before the end of the year.

"I would think it might be the beginning of the coming year or the end of this year I hope," Fauci said.

The COVID-19 vaccine was approved for use by children age 5-11 this week by the CDC.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH

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Filed Under: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccinations

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