|
 The plans come as a growing number of U.S. states have begun to ease
COVID-19 restrictions as cases decline. The seven-day average of
daily cases dropped 40% from the previous week, while the daily
hospital admission average dropped 28% and the average daily deaths
dropped 9%, according to CDC data.
"We're moving toward a time when COVID isn't a crisis, but is
something we can protect against and treat. The president and our
COVID team are actively planning for the future," White House
COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters.
"Our highest, first priority is fighting Omicron," Zients said. "At
the same time, we are preparing for the future."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is weighing new
COVID-19 guidance, including on when to wear face masks, CDC
Director Rochelle Walensky said at the same briefing, adding that
hospital capacity will be a key metric.
The CDC expects many of the revised guidelines will be issued in
late February or early March, around the same time mask mandates in
several states are lifted, she said.
"We want to give people a break from things like mask- wearing when
these metrics are better, and then have the ability to reach for
them again should things worsen," said Walensky.
[to top of second column] |
Walensky cautioned that people will still have
to wear masks in certain situations such as when
experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, during the ten
days following a COVID-19 diagnosis, or
following exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Tom Inglesby, the White House's adviser for COVID-19 testing, said
the administration had issued a formal request for information to
related companies about how to bolster the nation's testing
capacity, including details about supply-chain challenges and market
volatility.
The industry's response will help direct U.S. investment, he said at
the briefing.
Around 50 million to 60 million people can currently obtain free
at-home COVID-19 tests over-the-counter using their insurance cards
and the administration is working with more insurers to create
point-of-sale options, said Inglesby.
The government has already shipped 50 million orders, or 200 million
individual tests, as part of its plan to deliver free tests, said
Zients.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey and Ahmed Aboulenein in WashingtonEditing
by Matthew Lewis)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
 |
