Joe Biden has said the “pandemic is over”, despite hundreds of Americans dying with the virus every day.

Speaking to CBS’s 60 Minutes programme, the US president hailed the end of the outbreak.

However, he added: “We still have a problem with COVID.

“We’re still doing a lot of work on it. But the pandemic is over. If you notice, no one’s wearing masks.

“Everybody seems to be in pretty good shape. And so, I think it’s changing.”

Mr Biden was speaking on the sidelines of the Detroit Auto Show, an event which drew thousands of visitors.

The toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has improved significantly since early in Mr Biden’s term, when more than 3,000 Americans were dying every day, thanks to more widely available enhanced care, medications and vaccinations.

End of the COVID-19 pandemic ‘in sight’, World Health Organisation says

MP Margaret Ferrier sentenced to 270 hours of community service for breaching COVID rules

COVID-19: Booster jab rollout moves to over-65s, carers and pregnant women

Read more:
End of the COVID-19 pandemic ‘in sight’, World Health Organisation says

However, nearly 400 people a day continue to die with COVID-19, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The president spent more than two weeks isolated in the White House after two bouts with coronavirus starting in July.

His wife Jill contracted the virus in August.

Mr Biden has said the mild cases were a testament to the improvements in care during his presidency.

He has also asked Congress for $22.4bn (£19.6bn) more in funding to prepare for a potential autumn surge in infections.

Related posts:

Derek Chauvin guilty of the murder of George Floyd Chauvin verdict may be a turning point, but inner-city America trapped by stark hopelessness Net-zero cannot be achieved by planting a few trees or keeping lights switched off more More calls for racial justice to mark the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder Three abandoned children and skeletal remains of nine-year-old boy found at Houston apartment Russian-backed submissions disqualified from this year’s Emmy awards Conspiracy exposed to Americans for first time since Watergate – but will Trump loyalists bother to listen? ‘Enough is enough’: Thousands take to the streets across the US demanding action on gun laws US senators forge gun reform deal that Biden says is ‘step in right direction’ Jill Biden apologises for ‘breakfast tacos’ comment Alabama prisoner charged over death of guard who helped him escape George Foreman reveals he is facing sexual abuse allegations from two women