The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued a grim projection for the weeks to come. In a recent report, the CDC stated that the United States of America could endure anywhere between 332,000 and 362,000 COVID-19 related deaths by January 2. Adding on, the CDC stated that there could be anywhere between 12,600 to 23,400 new deaths during the week of January 2. Their projections from a combination of 40 different modeling groups looking at possibilities for the next four weeks.
The latest projections from the CDC come as the country reels from the post-Thanksgiving surge in coronavirus cases. Yesterday, the country broke the COVID-19 related death toll record yet again. The COVID-19 Tracking Project reported nearly 3,100 deaths on deaths. The project also reports that nearly 110,000 people are currently being hospitalized for the virus.
Unfortunately, health officials believe that the post-Thanksgiving surge will only be worsened by holiday travel and New Year's Eve celebrations.
"The thing that concerns me is that [cases could rise] right on the Christmas holiday as people start to travel and shop and congregate, so that's the reason why we plead with them to please, as best as you can, uniform wearing of masks, keep distances to the best possible way you can, avoid crowds in congregate settings, particularly indoors, and if you are indoors in that circumstance, always wear your mask," Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
Fortunately, the first round of COVID-19 vaccines are beginning to be distributed to medical professionals and high-risk populations. The current administration projects that as many as 13.6 million people could be vaccinated by the end of the year.
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