US officials prepare for pandemic's next phase as Omicron wanes
Gulf Times
The US 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.
US health officials said that they are preparing for the next phase of the Covid-19 pandemic as Omicron-related cases decline, including updating CDC guidance on mask-wearing and shoring up U.S. testing capacity.
The plans come as a growing number of US 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."
