More than 217,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the U.S. on Dec. 3, according to Johns Hopkins University, marking a new record for daily cases. Public health experts warn that numbers will continue to climb.
While the U.S. is gearing up for the initial stages of vaccine distribution, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield stated that the next couple of months will be \"the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation.\"
Experts anticipate that some individuals will receive immunizations in the coming weeks, but a widely available COVID-19 vaccine for the general public is not expected until around spring 2021.
Dr. Redfield warned that 150,000 to 200,000 additional COVID-19 deaths could occur by February.
Health experts are advising people to stay home during the holidays and avoid gatherings. However, many have disregarded these warnings and traveled for Thanksgiving.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened more than one million travelers on four separate days during the holiday period, as reported by the Associated Press.
Vehicle travel during Thanksgiving surged compared to the rest of November. An AP analysis found that vehicle travel on Thanksgiving Day was only about 5% less than on Thanksgiving 2019.
\"I think January is going to be terrible because you’re going to have the Thanksgiving surge super-imposed upon the Christmas surge,” said U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci in a Newsweek interview.
Medical journalist Dr. Alok Patel echoes Dr. Fauci's concerns, stating that the U.S. needs a unified message and that people must adhere to COVID-19 guidelines to help contain the virus.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
