Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Livemint
Livemint
National
Sounak Mukhopadhyay

US Health Secretary’s statement on COVID-19 pandemic leaves President Joe Biden red-faced

US President Joe Biden earlier said, ‘Pandemic is over.’ Apu Gomes/Getty Images/AFP (AFP)

Also Read: Do you have COVID cough? Here’s how to find out

US Health Secretary Xavier Becerra announced on October 13 that the extension would be valid until January 11, 2023. Becerra’s statement says that “a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020, nationwide".

As better care, drugs, and vaccines have been more readily accessible, the COVID-19 pandemic's toll in the United States has dramatically decreased from early in Biden's term when more than 3,000 Americans were dying every day. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the coronavirus still claims the lives of hundreds of people every day in the US.

Also Read: New Covid variant alert: Meet omicron's newest cousin, BF.7

In order to be ready for a potential case surge, Biden has requested Congress for an additional $22.4 billion in financing. In order to provide $50 billion in federal assistance in 2020, the former president Donald Trump proclaimed a national emergency.

According to American immunologist Dr. Anthony Fauci, it wouldn't be surprising if a new, more dangerous Covid variant emerged this winter. As such, people should be ready for the chance that another variation could emerge and defeat the immune response that vaccines have produced in humans, Fauci said.

Also Read: Be prepared for a more dangerous Covid that beats vaccines

He urged people not to let their guard down over the winter since there is always a chance of a rise. Despite the fact that things seem to be going well, he continued, it would be premature to declare that the pandemic is finally over.

A federal appeals court judge asked to know how Biden’s ongoing endeavour to impose vaccine requirements on government contractors was impacted after the US president made his controversial statement.

Also Read: This new mask will detect coronavirus and alert you on mobile in 10 minutes

In another instance, Republican-led states have cited the president's remarks in a lawsuit they filed to oppose his student loan forgiveness initiative. A growing pandemic, according to Mr. Biden, was one of the administration's justifications.

(With agency inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sounak Mukhopadhyay

Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer.
Catch all the Business News, Market News, Breaking News Events and Latest News Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.