The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering adding testing requirements to its new isolation guidelines for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday.

The CDC shortened its isolation recommendations from 10 days to five last week for people who have tested positive for Covid but show no symptoms. Fauci, President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, said the agency is debating adding to its guidance.

The contract eventually will allow the production of more than 83 million tests a month, the Pentagon said.

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has announced a $137 million contract to make more of a key component of rapid Covid tests to boost their production.

What you need to know about at-home rapid tests and their results

At-home rapid tests have proven to be a powerful weapon in the country's battle against the coronavirus and its latest variants, but the surge of the omicron variant has left U.S. consumers to contend with concerns about access, efficacy and rising costs among the numerous options on the market.

Health experts say rapid tests remain a useful tool as the country braces for the latest surge in cases, as long as they can be obtained and are considered in the right context. The tests sacrifice some accuracy for speedy results, but they can be an aid for making decisions and knowing when to get additional treatment.

The most accurate tests available are polymerase chain reaction tests, or PCR tests, which detect tiny snippets of the virus’s genetic material. Because the tests require specialized lab equipment, people can wait for days to get their results, particularly when there are surges, as demand grows and logjams are created.