HHS delivers $87,419,266 to expand COVID-19 testing capacity in Utah

The U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has delivered $87,419,266 in new funding to Utah to support testing for COVID-19. In total, $10.25 billion in funding is being provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to states, territories and local jurisdictions through CDC’s existing Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement.

The funding is designated to provide support to develop, purchase, administer, process and analyze COVID-19 tests, conduct surveillance, trace contacts and conduct related activities. These funds, along with the previous funding support CDC provided, will help states, territories and localities with their efforts to re-open 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 Dr. Robert R. Redfield.