The federal mask mandate for passengers on public transportation, such as planes, trains and buses, is set to expire April 18, but national health officials are considering an extension of the measure in preparation for a possible outbreak led by the omicron BA.2 variant.
“This is a CDC decision, and I think it is absolutely on the table,” the White House’s new COVID czar Ashish Jha told NBC News. “[CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky] is going to make her decision based on the framework that the CDC scientists create, and we’ll make a decision collectively based on that.”
The mandate has already been extended several times since it was first levied in February 2021. The CDC is working to develop a scientific framework to determine whether to prolong the rule now and in the future. Omicron BA.1 now accounts for more than 70% of new infections in the U.S., and according to reports, it is more contagious, though not more severe, than the original omicron variant.
Closer to home, the S.C. Senate last Wednesday passed legislation banning businesses from refusing to serve people who did not receive a COVID-19 vaccine and preventing public employers from mandating their employees get the shots. The bill now heads back to the state House of Representatives to reconsider the measure it passed in December.
Latest COVID-19 data
Meanwhile, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) transitioned to weekly reporting of new COVID data last month, with last Tuesday’s update being the most recent of reports including data taken from March 27-April 2.
South Carolina health officials on Tuesday reported 951 total new cases of COVID-19, with 632 confirmed, and two total new deaths, both of which were confirmed. As of April 2, 132 COVID-19-positive individuals are hospitalized, and 10 COVID-19-positive individuals are ventilated.
No positivity rate was reported by DHEC.
- Percentage of S.C. residents age 12+ with at least one vaccine: 66.8%
- Percentage of S.C. residents age 12+ who have completed vaccination: 57.7%
- Percentage of S.C. residents age 5-11 with at least one vaccine: 19.8%
- Percentage of S.C. residents age 5-11 who have completed vaccination: 16%
For more information, visit the S.C. SCDHEC COVID-19 dashboard.
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