US President Joe Biden has raised eyebrows after claiming "the pandemic is over" during a TV interview, despite his nation currently having the highest case rate in the world.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
"The pandemic is over. We still have a problem with COVID. We're still doing a lotta work on it. ... But the pandemic is over," Mr Biden said.
The statement comes only weeks after his government requested Congress invest billions of dollars to continue testing measures and vaccine initiatives.
Related:
During an official press conference on September 6, the White House's top COVID-19 official, Dr Ashish Jha gave a statement that has been directly contradicted by the President's latest position.
"The pandemic isn't over. And we will remain vigilant, and of course, we continue to look for and prepare for unforeseen twists and turns," Dr Jha said on September 6.
The US records an average of 400-500 deaths from COVID-19 per day, even as restrictions continue to be eased across the nation.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation's director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists on September 14, that "we have never been in a better position to end the pandemic".
But, Dr Gehbreyesus stressed, the world was "not there yet" when it comes to eliminating the threat of the virus.
"A marathon runner does not stop when the finish line comes into view. She runs harder, with all the energy she has left," he said.
"So must we. We can see the finish line. We're in a winning position. But now is the worst time to stop running."