Watch Biden speech on U.S. battle in Covid pandemic amid omicron surge

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President Joe Biden is about to ship a progress report Tuesday on the battle towards the coronavirus pandemic as the brand new and extremely contagious omicron variant spreads across the nation.

Anticipating a surge in circumstances this winter, the administration is anticipated to deal with growing help for hospitals, increasing entry to free Covid checks and growing the capability to ship vaccines.

Biden’s speech comes a day after the White Home revealed that the president was in shut contact with somebody who examined optimistic for the virus. Biden examined unfavourable on Monday, three days after spending about half-hour close to the staffer throughout a flight on Air Pressure One, the White Home mentioned.

The unnamed particular person, described as a “mid-level workers member,” examined unfavourable earlier than the flight however a subsequent take a look at on Monday morning got here again optimistic, press secretary Jen Psaki mentioned. Biden additionally obtained a unfavourable antigen take a look at Sunday. He shall be examined once more Wednesday, she mentioned.

The White Home is bracing for extra workers members to check optimistic within the coming days because the omicron variant sweeps the nation. The pressure, which was found simply weeks earlier, now accounts for almost three-fourths of all new infections within the U.S.

Biden, talking within the state eating room of the White Home, is anticipated to guarantee absolutely vaccinated and boosted People that they’re protected towards the specter of extreme sickness from the brand new wave of infections.

The unvaccinated, nevertheless, are at a excessive threat of getting sick and are a number of occasions extra more likely to be hospitalized or killed from Covid, Biden is anticipated to warn.

With about 40 million eligible People nonetheless unvaccinated, the Biden administration expects an increase in circumstances.

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