Biden tells governors next steps to fight pandemic are at the state level. promises more tests

In his first public remarks about the pandemic after Christmas, Biden sought to highlight what his administration is doing to respond to the omicron variant outbreak that is sweeping the United States and the world. The president pointed out that the availability of vaccines has left Americans in a much safer place today than at the beginning of the pandemic.

In response to a question from Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.) about production and distribution by the federal government of rapid coronavirus tests, Biden said: “We just have to stay focused and continue to work together. My message to the governor is simple. If you need something, say something. And we’re going to have your back in any way we can.”

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'We have more work to do,' Biden says as Omicron surge looms President Joe Biden on Monday pledged to ease a shortage of COVID-19 tests as the Omicron variant threatened to overwhelm hospitals and stifle travel plans as it spread across the United States this holiday week. Trevor Hunnicutt,Susan Heavey Reuters

, pledges to provie more masks ...

Biden warned governors that the spike in cases was likely to overwhelm some hospitals, stretching staff and equipment like ventilators, particularly in areas where fewer people are vaccinated. ...