WASHINGTON, March 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The US could see up to 200,000 deaths from Coronavirus and millions of infected cases, the US government’s top infectious diseases official said.
“Looking at what we’re seeing now, we’re looking at 100,000 to 200,000 deaths,” said Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, on CNN.
“We’re going to have millions of cases.”
Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, added that the predictions could change as the disease’s outbreak is “such a moving target.”
As of Sunday afternoon, at least 2,197 people have died and the number of infections rose to 125,300, with 2,612 recoveries, according to Johns Hopkins University data dashboard.
Most deaths were reported in New York state that had 718, with New York City the epicenter where 672 deaths have been recorded.
The first US death occurred Feb 29 in Washington state. A total of 136 people have died there.
Although the U.S. has more coronavirus cases than any other country, Italy has the most deaths with 10,023.
The Maryland-based university’s data showed worldwide infections neared the 686,000 mark with more than 32,100 deaths. More than 145,700 have recovered from infections.
After first appearing in Wuhan, China in December, the virus known as COVID-19, has spread to 177 countries and regions.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said that the peak death rate in the United States from the Coronavirus pandemic was likely to hit in two weeks and extended “social distancing” guidelines until April 30.
“Easter should be the peak number,” Trump said of the Christian holiday which falls on April 12.
“The modelling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks,” the president said during a briefing in the Rose Garden of the White House.
“It should start coming down — and hopefully very substantially — from that point,” he said.
Trump said that he was extending the government’s “social distancing” guidelines until April 30 to “slow the spread” of the virus, which has infected nearly 140,000 in the United States and left more than 2,400 dead.
“Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won,” he said.
“It’s very important that every one strongly follow the guidelines.”
Trump also said he expects the country “will be well on our way to recovery” by June 1 — dropping his previous target of Easter.
He said there would be an “important” announcement on Tuesday about the government’s plans and strategy going forward.
“On Tuesday, we will be finalising these plans and providing a summary of our findings, supporting data and strategy to the American people,” he said. — NNN-AGENCIES