Experts urge US cities and states to prep for future outbreaks as Omicron slows

As cases and hospitalizations decline, public health experts worry it might lull people into thinking the pandemic is over

Omicron is receding in the US and states and cities are lifting remaining restrictions. Public health experts, however, are urging leaders to use the lull to prepare for future outbreaks.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced new guidelines for judging community risk, shifting focus from cases to hospitalizations.