CDC funds $67M to expand testing in Delaware

The Department of Health and Human Services delivered $67,436,696 in new funding to Delaware to support testing for COVID-19.

In total, $10.25 billion in funding is being provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to states, territories and local jurisdictions through CDC’s existing Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases cooperative agreement.

This funding is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to ensure that states, territories and tribes have the resources necessary to meet their testing goals as they begin to reopen. This funding from the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act will provide critical support to develop, purchase, administer, process and analyze COVID-19 tests, conduct surveillance, trace contacts and related activities. Along with the previous funding support CDC provided, these funds will help states, territories and localities with their efforts to reopen America.

“This funding is a historic investment in America’s ability to track and control the spread of the virus, which is essential to a safe reopening,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “For the sake of all Americans’ health and well-being, we must help Americans get safely back to work and school, and that requires continued expansion of testing, surveillance, and contact tracing.”

“As the nation cautiously begins the phased approach to reopening, this considerable investment in expanding both testing and contact tracing capacity for states, localities, territories and tribal communities is essential,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD. “Readily accessible testing is a critical component of a four-pronged public health strategy – including rigorous contact tracing, isolation of confirmed cases, and quarantine. As communities move toward a blended mitigation and containment strategy, I encourage all Americans to continue to embrace powerful public health measures – social distancing, hand washing and face coverings. We are not defenseless in the battle against this pandemic.”  

Delaware must submit to HHS its plan for COVID-19 testing, including goals for the remainder of calendar year 2020, to include: number of tests needed month-by-month to include diagnostic, serological, and other tests, as appropriate; month-by-month estimates of laboratory and testing capacity, including related to workforce, equipment and supplies, and available tests; description of how the resources will be used for testing, including easing any COVID-19 community mitigation policies.

Delaware will use the funding to meet the testing goals laid out in its COVID-19 testing plans, including purchasing supplies such as test kits and other testing supplies, as necessary.