75 Percent of US Seeing Increases In COVID-19 Cases In ’Critical Phase’ Of Pandemic

By Staff, Agencies

The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing in 75 percent of the United States, as the country approaches a “critical phase” of the pandemic, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, we're seeing a distressing trend here in the United States,” Jay Butler, the CDC’s deputy director for infectious diseases, said at a media briefing at the agency's headquarters in Atlanta.

The US has confirmed more than 8.1 million cases of COVID-19, though the official number is likely much higher.

Experts warned all year that the US would likely see a surge in cases in the fall and winter as the cold weather forces people to spend more time indoors.

It appears that surge is here, with the US Confirming nearly 60,000 cases a day, nearing the record high set this summer during the wave in the south.

“I recognize that we are all getting tired of the impact that COVID-19 has had on our lives — we get tired of wearing masks but it continues to be as important as it's ever been, and I would say it's more important than ever, as we move into the fall season,” Butler said, noting that people will likely be gathering over the holidays.

CDC Director Robert Redfield also attended the briefing, warning the US is "approaching a critical phase" in the pandemic.

Until a vaccine is available, Americans should continue following public health recommendations including wearing masks and social distancing, he said.

Butler said he is optimistic there will be one or more COVID-19 vaccines available for distribution by the end of the year, but that it would likely be a limited supply, initially reserved for people at highest risk for serious illness, including the elderly.

It was the first public briefing the CDC had held since August, to the consternation of public health experts and officials who think the agency has been sidelined during the pandemic.