On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden announced the addition of new federal vaccination and testing locations to combat a COVID-19 outbreak caused by the Omicron variant, as well as the availability of 500 million free at-home quick tests beginning in January.

Despite the new strain sweeping the country, Biden issued a caution to the unvaccinated, saying they have "strong reason to be alarmed," and reassuring those who are inoculated that they can congregate for the holidays.

Biden told reporters at the White House, "No, this is not March of 2020." "We've vaccinated 200 million people, we're prepared, and we know more."

Biden's comments come as some towns and states enacted new public-health measures, including stronger vaccine mandates.

Biden warned that the one-in-four adults in the United States who are not completely vaccinated "had a considerably increased chance of ending up in the hospital or even dying."

Former President Donald Trump, according to Biden, has also received his booster shot. "Maybe one of the few things he and I agree on," he said.

Starting this week, the Government Emergency Management Agency will activate new pop-up vaccine clinics and federal testing centers, including in hotspot New York City, as part of the measures announced on Tuesday.

In addition, Biden stated that 1,000 military physicians, nurses, and medics have been dispatched to assist hospitals that are already overburdened with COVID-19 patients in some places.