Fauci: Rampant virus in the US due to improper patch closures


Panel chairman Jim Clyburn (DS.C.) sought to contrast the Covid-19 cases in the United States and Europe, where nations took a more centralized approach to restrictions. Responding to a chart that Clyburn showed, Fauci noted that European countries closed their activities “at the rate of more than 95 percent of the country” and reduced cases to a much lower baseline for the spread of the disease before reopening .

“We started with a very difficult transmission baseline that was happening when we tried to open up the country,” he said. “Then we saw an increase in cases to 20, 30, 50,000 and a couple of weeks ago it was up to 70,000 cases per day.”

Fauci also reiterated his belief that a coronavirus vaccine will be developed by the end of the year, citing promising new data from animal and human trials, and sought to assure the public that no corners were being cut.

“I know that for some people it appears to be so fast that it could compromise scientific safety or integrity,” he said. “I can say that that is not the case.”

President Donald Trump also weighed in during the testimony, tweeting that Clyburn “has no idea” and repeated the false claim that cases are higher in the US Because the US evaluates more than any other country.