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“This is a humanitarian disaster, probably one of the worst stories I’ve covered in my career here on CNN,” the network’s chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, said Thursday.
On Wednesday, the United States recorded 1,893 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. The tally would reflect a new record since May, though it may be skewed by a huge Georgia number that could include cumulative deaths.
‘Acceleration of community spread’ and ‘significant deterioration’
The panel, which last week warned of “a significant deterioration in the sunbelt,” said it has led to the “most diffuse differential experienced to date.”
A separate forecast from the Philadelphia Children’s Hospital Policy Lab projects that conditions will worsen on the West Coast, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states over the next several weeks.
Hospitalizations, ICU admissions and ventilator use are increasing in all states, the lab said.
Coronavirus records in Utah are breaking at an alarming rate, authorities said. The state broke its seven-day case average with more than 3,800 cases reported Thursday. The last record was on November 5.
The records in Utah come as the state is also running out of hospital beds, according to Greg Bell, president of the Utah Hospital Association.
“We’re on that line where we are effectively full,” Bell said Thursday during a news conference with Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.
The Philadelphia Policy Lab also reported that “COVID-19 patients occupy more than 25% of ICU beds” in all Midwestern states.
A critical vacation ahead
But experts worry that his warnings will fall on deaf ears as some Americans prepare for Thanksgiving, when the gatherings could easily trigger new outbreaks.
“For those that do, outdoor events are safer than indoors, and it will be important to conscientiously space vulnerable older people from the rest of the family,” he said. “But even more important is the commitment to quarantine before visiting family.”
Chicago issued a stay-at-home warning that will take effect on November 16 and will remain in effect for 30 days as Covid-19 cases continue to rise. Residents are encouraged to stay home and go out alone for school or work and essential needs, according to a city statement that announced the notice Thursday.
The holidays also mean that many college students are likely to return home to spend Thanksgiving with family, and could unknowingly bring the virus with them.
College campuses in all 50 states have reported Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began.
And the University of Maryland football program said it is pausing all team-related activities after “a high number of COVID-19 cases within the Terrapin program.”
Poll Says Most Americans Would Not Comply With Another Shutdown
Less than half of Americans say they are very likely to comply with another lockdown, according to a new Gallup poll.
About 49% of Americans surveyed between October 19 and November 1 said they would be very likely to stay home for a month if recommended by health officials after a coronavirus outbreak in their community. That’s less than 67% in the spring.
While 18% said it was somewhat likely to comply, a third of people said it was unlikely to comply with the closure orders, the results showed.
While Americans are less willing to stay home, the results show that they are actually more concerned about the pandemic: 61% say they believe the situation is getting worse, compared to 40% in April.
The results show a political divide between those who are willing to stay home. About 40% of Republicans surveyed said they were willing to comply with a stay-at-home order, up from 74% in the spring.
By contrast, 87% of Democrats said they would likely comply, a slight drop from 91% in March and April.
Health experts have said that wearing face masks could significantly reduce the need for more shutdowns.
Security measures won’t go away anytime soon
For example, preventive measures, such as the use of masks and social distancing, must be maintained.
“While we look forward to receiving more good news about vaccines, it will take time to increase production to get them to all countries and then vaccinate enough people to bring life back to the days before Covid,” World Health said. The organization’s chief scientist, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, said Wednesday.
And even when a vaccine arrives, people may need booster shots in the future, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
“I don’t think it’s going to be one and done, as they say,” Fauci told the Financial Times on Wednesday.
But a vaccine will likely suppress the spread of the virus below pandemic and epidemic levels. But “as immune people lose their immunity, they can become susceptible,” Fauci said.
“Traditionally, if you look back at the common cold coronaviruses and the experience that we have, it is not the type of virus that generally gives lifelong immunity.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly hinted that Doctors Without Borders is currently working in the United States to help fight Covid-19. The aid group said it worked at key sites in the United States between April and October and has since handed over its programs to local health authorities and organizations.
CNN’s Lauren Mascarenhas, Betsy Klein and Mirna Alsharif contributed to this report.
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