Scalise Applauds New Orleans Selection for COVID-19 Antigen Testing Pilot Program

WASHINGTON, D.C.—House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement on the Trump Administration's announcement that New Orleans has been selected as a participant in the COVID-19 antigen testing pilot program focused on safely reopening schools:

"I applaud the Trump Administration for selecting New Orleans as one of their COVID-19 antigen testing sites. This pilot program will help protect the health and success of our children and students in New Orleans by providing rapid testing to screen for COVID-19, with the ultimate goal of providing a framework to safely reopen all schools and communities across the country."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide at least 120,000 Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 diagnostic tests to pilot sites. The rapid test is easy to use and produces COVID-19 test results in 15 minutes. The initial pilot cities, selected collaboratively with The Rockefeller Foundation, are Louisville, Ky.; Los Angeles; New Orleans; and Tulsa, Okla. In addition, Rhode Island has been selected as a pilot state. BinaxNOW is a unique testing option to provide support to K-12 teachers and students, higher education, critical infrastructure, first responders, and other priorities as governors deem fit.

According to HHS, the testing pilot program will also provide data on how testing strategies can be operationalized in laboratories, retail pharmacies, and other community entities. In addition, the partnership will help build the capacity of communities across the United States to better prepare for future pandemics, especially in low-income and vulnerable communities.