Biden White House Extends COVID Public Health Emergency Through April

Wednesday’s announcement by the White House of Biden was that the COVID public emergency will be extended for an additional 90 days because of increased incidences of the latest subvariant.

The An announcement The extension of the public health emergency into April marks the 12th extension since it’s inception by then-President Donald Trump. It allows millions of Americans to continue to be eligible for Medicaid benefits.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra committed to giving state leaders and executives in healthcare a 60-day notice prior to the action being allowed to expire.

Millions could lose Medicaid coverage when the extension ends. The policy has seen enrollment rise by 24 million Americans. According to The Daily Wire, Medicaid enrollment will soon surpass 100 million. According to A recent report.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the renewal takes place as subvariant XBB.1.5 accounts for more that 70% of COVID patients in the Northeast and 28% nationwide. On January 4, 2015, an Average There were 67,000 positive daily cases, and 390 COVID-related daily death.

The CDC’s COVID-19 Integrated County View for reporting Shows that nearly 75% of the nation’s counties are considered at high risk for community transmission.

A growing number of schools and other facilities are using masking to combat the rising incidences of RSV, coronavirus, and flu. Ann Arbor Public Schools in Michigan reinstated a 2-week mask mandate in January after an increase in illnesses in December.

“During this time of return from travel and social activities, the requirement of masks while indoors at school is a measure to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses and related absenteeism and to prioritize health and in school learning, particularly at this transition time following winter break,” Superintendent Jeanice Swift Submitted.

Some schools in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania have also returned to Requirements indoor mask-wearing.

Chicago Public Schools asked students and employees to test for COVID before they could return to school.

“If you test positive, please report the positive test using the COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form, and follow the guidance outlined on our safety page,” The Notification read.

White House COVID-19 response director Dr. Ashish Jha addressed spread of the XBB.1.5 variant last week. She expressed concern over the increasing number of cases and encouraged the development vaccine and other preventative measures to reduce the risk.