Concerns Over Sharp Increase in Deaths in 3-4 Weeks
Fauci Reiterates Basic Prevention Measures Like Masks and Social Distancing
[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] A warning has been issued that the number of new COVID-19 cases in the United States could exceed 100,000 per day.
Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, appeared on CNN on the 23rd (local time) and said, "The number of (COVID-19) cases will reach six figures."
Osterholm noted that deaths typically increase 2 to 3 weeks after new cases arise, adding, "In 3 to 4 weeks, deaths will also rise sharply."
Based on statistics from Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. recorded 83,757 new COVID-19 cases the previous day, the highest since the outbreak began. This figure is about 6,000 more than the previous record of 77,362 cases on July 16.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 23rd that new cases were even higher, at around 85,000, while The Washington Post (WP) counted at least 82,600 new positive cases.
CNN also reported that the 7-day average of daily new cases exceeded 63,000 on that day, an 84% increase compared to mid-September when the average number of new cases began to rise.
In Georgia, the highest number of new cases since early September was reported that day, and Ohio broke its record for the highest number of new cases for three consecutive days. Oklahoma reported over 1,000 new cases for the fourth consecutive day.
New Jersey reported 1,994 new cases on the 24th, the highest daily count since May.
Florida also reported 4,471 new cases on the 24th.
Additionally, Pennsylvania reported 2,043 new cases, and Illinois reported 6,161 new cases on the same day.
Health experts believe that small gatherings are driving this third wave of infections following the summer resurgence. As the weather cools, people’s activities are moving indoors, where the virus spreads more easily, making gatherings a major transmission route.
Larry Hogan, governor of Maryland, recently warned residents that family gatherings are the primary source of transmission in the state and urged caution.
Health officials in North Carolina, which recorded a record high number of new cases on the 23rd, stated that they continue to see cluster outbreaks at 'social and religious gatherings.'
However, with major holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas approaching?times when family, relatives, and social gatherings are frequent?the situation remains concerning.
Doug Burgum, governor of North Dakota, proposed a "Thanksgiving Challenge" urging residents to follow guidelines such as wearing masks and social distancing to reduce new cases by Thanksgiving on November 26.
Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, reiterated the importance of basic preventive measures.
On the 23rd, Fauci said, "This (basic prevention) sounds simple, but we are not doing it uniformly, and that is one of the reasons we are seeing this surge. We can control them (the virus) without shutting down the country."
Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins University reported that the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. reached 8,533,568, with 224,407 deaths as of that day.
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