Biden Administration Releases Strategy Against Omicron Subvariants
The White House released a new strategy on Tuesday to combat the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, which now make up 80% of the COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
BA.5, which accounts for most of those cases, has shown the ability to escape immunity, including from vaccines and prior infections. As a result, the White House anticipates the number of infections to rise in the coming weeks.
Included in the strategy are plans to drive additional uptake of booster shots among Americans and secure more treatments of Paxlovid, an oral antiviral that can reduce severe illness in those infected with COVID-19.
A third round of COVID-19 tests will be available by mail for free from COVID.gov, and personal protective equipment capacity will be increased to promote greater mask usage and indoor ventilation in schools and organizations of all kinds.
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