U.S. Health and Human Services extends Public Health Emergency declaration

ROCKWALL, TX – July 27, 2020 — The U.S. Health and Human Services department renewed its declaration of a nationwide Public Health Emergency for the Covid-19 pandemic on July 23.

Secretary of HHS Alex M. Azar II released the following statement on the HHS website regarding the PHE renewal:

“As a result of the continued consequences of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Alex M. Azar II, Secretary of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, do hereby renew, effective July 25, 2020, my January 31, 2020, determination that I previously renewed on April 21, 2020, that a public health emergency exists and has existed since January 27, 2020, nationwide.”

The announcement came just days before the declaration, which was first made in January, was due to expire. The extension keeps the multitude of benefits and flexibilities for hospitals in place, allowing providers to better manage outbreaks of the novel coronavirus.

The renewed declaration is expected to last for 90 days.

Blue Ribbon News staff report.

Our print edition is delivered free to ~15,500 homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.