US CDC: "Community Transmission of COVID-19 Will Begin in the United States"

US Health Authorities Seem to Prepare for Infection Spread
Global Pandemic Expected

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on the 25th (local time) about the possibility of community transmission of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within the United States. It also predicted that COVID-19 could spread worldwide as a pandemic.

Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases under the CDC, said at a press conference that "we will see community transmission (of COVID-19 in the U.S.)" and that "it is only a matter of when it will happen."

Director Messonnier emphasized that the outbreak of COVID-19 is "progressing and expanding very rapidly," and now is the time for businesses, schools, and hospitals to start preparing.

The CDC also warned of a global COVID-19 pandemic. Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the CDC, stated, "The current international outbreak situation of COVID-19 signals the possibility of a worldwide pandemic."

The CDC suggested that as COVID-19 spreads domestically, preparations should be made for significant disruptions to daily life, including cancellations of schools, sports events, concerts, and business schedules.

This statement is interpreted as the U.S. health authorities preparing with the possibility of community transmission of COVID-19 in mind.

Alex Azar, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), also expressed concern over the shortage of masks needed in emergencies and urged measures to address this. At Congress, he claimed, "There are 30 million 'N95' masks in stock to prevent inhalation of infectious particles, but 300 million are needed solely for healthcare workers in the event of a COVID-19 (community) outbreak." He also raised the need to prepare equipment such as oxygen respirators.

Meanwhile, Larry Kudlow, director of the White House National Economic Council (NEC), described the CDC's warning as a kind of 'emergency plan' and said, "It does not mean it will be implemented immediately." Kudlow told CNBC in an interview, "We are containing COVID-19 very firmly."

Meanwhile, U.S. health officials announced that the first clinical trial of an antiviral treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients has begun. This treatment is an experimental antiviral drug called 'Remdesivir,' developed by Gilead Sciences. U.S. authorities expect human trials of a vaccine to take place within six weeks.