Here’s what Biden is doing.
A White House official confirmed Thursday (January 13) morning that the Biden administration would be sending medical teams to states where COVID-19 burdens were overwhelming the medical system.
The move to assist six states –– Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island –– comes as medical professionals and overcrowded hospitals struggle with rising infections.
In a brief message on Twitter, Kevin Munoz, White House Assistant Press Secretary, confirmed these plans, saying that the President would be speaking to “federal surge teams supporting hospitals in Arizona, New York, and Michigan” in an effort to hear the impact service members were “having on the COVID-19 response.”
In an earlier tweet, he also stated that “over 800 military and other federal emergency personnel have deployed to 24 states, Tribes, and territories – including over 350 military doctors, nurses and medics helping staff hospitals. More than 14,000 National Guard are activated in 49 states to support.”
His statements follow what White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday (January 12), touting the administration’s response to the rapidly rising COVID-19 infections. Psaki said “hundreds” of medical workers were already assisting overburdened medical staff in several states. These measures are expected to help the current COVID surge fueled by Omicron.
Many states are currently grappling with rising cases, as 770,000 new cases were recorded nationwide, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases –– according to data from the CDC –– to 62.5 million since the start of the pandemic in early 2020.
Munoz also confirmed President Biden would be appearing alongside Secretary Austin and Administrator Criswell to announce surge deployments that will help with hospital capacity.
