The declaration, set to expire Jan. 16, will now remain in effect for at least another 90 days.
The declaration grants healthcare providers resources and flexibility to care for COVID-19 patients, among other benefits.
“The emergency declarations have proven critical in equipping hospitals and health systems with the tools and resources necessary to manage the recent COVID-19 surges and ensure high-quality care in this unprecedented environment,” the American Hospital Association wrote in a Jan. 11 letter to HHS, urging the agency to renew the declaration.
HHS first declared the pandemic a public health emergency Jan. 31, 2020. The agency has since renewed it every 90 days.
