Of Course Not: US Surgeon General Says the COVID Pandemic 'Is Not Over'

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said in a recent interview that coronavirus restrictions should be scaled back “as the pandemic improves” but that the pandemic is not yet over.

“The pandemic is not over today. We are still seeing record numbers of hospitalizations, deaths, and cases in this country,” Murthy told The Associated Press. “I think that as the pandemic gets better, we should be pulling back on restrictions. The conversation now is about what should determine when that happens.”

He gave some indication of what would have to occur before he believes restrictions should begin to be eased, such as COVID hospitalization and death statistics, and hospital staffing.

“It’s likely going to be some combination of the hospitalization rate or hospital capacity itself, which is about health care staffing, about the death rate, and also just about where we’re going in terms of cases,” Murthy said. “We also have to have a clear plan for protecting those who are more vulnerable. And we know that there are people in our community, particularly those who are immunocompromised, who may continue to be at higher risk.”