Several major distributors of self-tests in the United States this week limited their sales to a few units per customer in the face of immense demand from the Americans, a few days before Christmas and in the midst of the spread of the Omicron variant, which is now dominant.
Read also Covid-19 screening tests: laboratories sound the alarm
Amazon and drugstore chains CVS and Walgreens said Tuesday and Wednesday that they had capped sales at 10, six or four self-test kits, respectively, and at home, per buyer. A decision made
"because of the incredible demand
,
"
Walgreens said in a statement. This limit should
"help manage inventory,"
said the company, one of the largest drugstore chains in the country,
"while we are actively working with our suppliers to meet consumer demand
.
"
Faced with a shortage of tests at some pharmacies, thousands of Americans are lining up outside, sometimes for hours, to be tested in mobile centers in major cities across the country.
In the capital Washington, a center has thus multiplied by more than 4 the number of tests carried out daily in two weeks.
500 million rapid tests bought by the government
According to US health authorities, the Omicron variant, which is much more transmissible, has become the majority in the United States, representing 73.2% of new Covid-19 infections during the week that ended on December 18.
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced the government's purchase of 500 million rapid tests.
They can be ordered online from January.