U.S. Extends COVID Public Health Emergency As XBB.1.5 Variant Spreads

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is extending the COVID-19 public emergency as the highly contagious Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant spreads across the country.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the seven-day average of weekly new COVID-19 cases increased by 16.2% from last week.

“The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency remains in effect, and as HHS committed to earlier, we will provide a 60-day notice to states before any possible termination or expiration. Additional information about public health emergency declarations, including frequently asked questions, can be found on our website,” an HHS spokesperson said in a statement to CNN.

A public health emergency over COVID-19 was first declared in January 2020. Since then, the government has extended it 11 times and counting.

“The decision to terminate the Covid (public health emergency) will be made by the HHS secretary based on the best available data and science. Any suggestion that a specific end date has been established is untrue,” the official said.