State To Receive More Than $71 Million For COVID Testing, Vaccines

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced on Monday, Jan. 11, that Montana will receive more than $71 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to combat COVID-19 through large-scale testing and vaccination efforts. Tester secured the $61.5 million for COVID-19 testing and $9,6 million for vaccine distribution through the yearend bipartisan COVID-19 relief and stimulus package.

“Every step we take towards increased testing and effective vaccine distribution is another step towards combating the spread of COVID-19 and getting our economy back on track,” Tester said. “With the news this week that Montana has passed the grim milestone of more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths, these critical resources are needed more now than ever to help get this virus under control once and for all, and get folks back to work.”

The funding will support testing, contract tracing, surveillance, containment, and mitigation efforts to monitor and suppress the spread of COVID-19 and is expected to arrive before Tuesday, Jan. 19.