U.S. authorities prepare for possible covid outbreaks due to detection of Omicron strain

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is developing plans for possible outbreaks across the country due to the discovery of a strain of the Omicron coronavirus.

Although no cases of the new strain have been identified in the United States, Biden administration health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the White House have held a series of meetings in the past two days to plan in case the strain has been identified in the United States and possible outbreaks across the country.

During the consultations, experts discussed “how long to close entry from southern Africa, whether to allow U.S. citizens to return, and whether to change health recommendations in the country.” In addition, U.S. officials noted the need to “significantly increase the pace” of revaccination in the coming weeks.

Biden is familiar with the latest information on omicron. According to the statement, “High-ranking health officials and coronavirus experts are monitoring the latest on omicron and are in regular contact with health officials around the world.”