[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The Joe Biden administration on the 11th (local time) extended the COVID-19 public health emergency once again until April. This measure comes in response to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 within the United States.
According to US CNBC and other outlets, US health authorities stated, "The COVID-19 public health emergency is still in effect." The United States has been extending the public health emergency every 90 days since its declaration in January 2020. Authorities also reaffirmed the existing policy of providing a 60-day notice if the emergency is to end or is likely to end.
This extension marks the 11th since the outbreak of COVID-19. Health authorities decided to extend the emergency because ending it would make it difficult to respond to a sudden surge in confirmed cases. The public health emergency serves as the basis for providing free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, and there are concerns that infections may spread centered on new subvariants this winter.
The recently spreading Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is the most contagious variant to date and is also called the "Kraken." According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of early this month, XBB.1.5 infections accounted for more than 27% of new confirmed cases in the United States. CNBC reported, "XBB.1.5 is rapidly becoming the dominant strain in the US," adding, "There are concerns that hospitalizations and deaths among elderly Americans could surge." It is understood that only 38% of seniors aged 65 and older have received the Omicron booster shot.
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