Biden says Omicron variant is a 'cause for concern, not a cause for panic'

(Image credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

published 29 November 2021

President Biden delivered an address Monday urging Americans not to "panic" about the new Omicron variant of COVID-19, vowing the United States will "fight and beat" it.

Biden spoke amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant that was first identified in South Africa. No U.S. cases have been reported, but Biden warned that "sooner or later, we're going to see cases of this new variant here in the United States." The president said his administration will "fight and beat" the Omicron variant, telling Americans, "This variant is a cause for concern, not a cause for panic."

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During his address, Biden again called on Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and get their booster shot when eligible, calling this the "best protection" against the variant, and he said his administration would accelerate the development of updated vaccines in the "hopefully unlikely" event this would be needed to fight the variant. But "we do not yet believe additional measures will be needed," he added.

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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.

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