US President Joe Biden has warned that those who are still unvaccinated in the country may be exposed to a "winter of severe illness and death". Biden's warning comes as the new Covid19 variant Omicron spreads rapidly in the country. President Biden also said that the unvaccinated will soon overwhelm the US hospitals. The G7 has also called the Omicron variant the biggest threat to global public health. So far, the Omicron variant has been reported in 77 countries, according to the WHO. However, there is just one death reported of Omicron variant in UK.
Key Points
1. During the Covid19 briefing, Joe Biden said, “I want to send a direct message to the American people: Due to the steps we’ve taken, Omicron has not yet spread as fast as it would have otherwise done. But it’s here now and it’s spreading and it’s going to increase.”
2. President issued a warning for the unvaccinated in clear words, he said,“We are looking at a winter of severe illness and death for the unvaccinated — for themselves, their families and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm.”
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3. His stark remark meant the people of USA should get vaccinated soon, in order to save their lives. The president also urged Americans who are already vaccinated, to get their booster shots.
4. USA is witnessing Covid infections surge with highly mutated Omicron variant of coronavirus. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of Saturday, Omicron has accounted for nearly 3 per cent of Covid cases in the US. Country also holds 800,000 deaths from Covid-19 .
5. Regarding the worsening situation of Coronavirus in the country, Biden said, “We’re gonna protect our economic recovery. If we do this, we’re gonna keep schools and businesses open ... and I want to see everyone around enjoy that. I want to see them enjoy the fact that they’re able to be in school, that businesses are open and the holidays are coming,” he said.
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6. Till now, 38 states in USA have Omicron cases. According to the CDC, 200 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, but only 56 million have received a booster shot.
