After two earlier extensions, this latest move will now provide the reimbursements through July 1.
After the Omicron variant-driven surge peaked in January, the U.S. has seen a gradual decrease in infection rates and an easing of some restrictions throughout the country. But with the U.S. still averaging tens of thousands of new cases every day—the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a seven-day average of 75,208 as of February 23—health officials have yet to abandon many mitigation efforts.
In a conference call with governors, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients confirmed that Biden is authorizing the FEMA funds extension to continue to help states finance vaccination clinics, testing sites and resources for hospitals. President Joe Biden is extending Federal Emergency Management Agency funds for the third time amid the ongoing U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Above, Biden speaks at an event to celebrate Black History Month in the East Room of the White House on February 28, 2022.Recently, for example, $1.2 million in funding was given to Indiana's Ball State University to help the school pay for on-campus testing. The state of Wisconsin was also given $91.
"FEMA's priority throughout the response to COVID-19 has been to coordinate and provide the necessary resources and personnel states, tribes and territories need to adequately respond to the pandemic," the AP quoted FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell as saying."Today's extension of the 100% cost-share through July 1, 2022, builds on our efforts to assist impacted communities across state and federal levels.
After initially directing the FEMA funding through September 2021, Biden extended it to the end of 2021 and then again through April 1 this year. The extension came as some U.S. health officials and leaders, including Biden, are working to lead the country into a phase where it can live with the virus even if it isn't completely eradicated.
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