Biden to unveil website to order free COVID-19 tests, will deploy 1K troops to help hospitals

President Biden on Tuesday will announce the deployment of 1,000 troops to help hospitals reeling from COVID-19 and unveil a website where Americans can order free at-home virus tests in January, senior administration officials said.

He will also underscore the need for widespread vaccination and booster shots to avoid severe disease from increasingly common infections.

The administration said it is purchasing 500 million rapid tests that Americans can order for free delivery to their homes on a forthcoming website.

Also, Mr. Biden will order military doctors, nurses, paramedics and other medical personnel to deploy, as needed, to bolster the COVID-19 response in January and February. 

The federal government will also stand up new testing sites, starting with New York City,  as Mayor Bill de Blasio requests help to deal with the winter surge.