The CDC is ‘deeply concerned’ about the increase in Covid cases as vaccinations accelerate

The United States government’s top coronavirus experts warned on Friday that there is great concern about the rise in infections, and while there is reason for optimism amid increasingly accelerating vaccination, “there is no reason for relaxation” in the pandemic .

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Photo: Apu Gomes / AFP / Getty Images

Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said at a meeting at the White House that the most recent weekly average shows a 7% increase in infections in the U.S. compared to the previous week, in about 57,000 cases per day.

© Photo: Apu Gomes / AFP / Getty Images
A nurse cares for a Covid patient in the intensive care unit at the Prividence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana medical center in Tarzana, California.

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New hospitalizations have also increased slightly.

“I remain deeply concerned about this trajectory. Please take this moment very seriously, ”said Walensky.

The number of daily deaths in the U.S. continues to hover at around 1,000 people, with confirmed infections increasing in about 20 states and deaths increasing in 17 states.

In his first official press conference as president on Thursday, Joe Biden announced a doubling of his vaccination target, from 100 million vaccinations in the first 100 days of his administration to 200 million doses administered.

On Friday morning, Walensky warned that, despite encouraging data on vaccination, the United States is at risk of losing ground gained with much effort in the fight against the coronavirus if the number of infections and hospitalizations does not decrease.

Meanwhile, 46 states and the District of Columbia have announced plans to open vaccination eligibility for all adults by May 1, in line with the Biden government’s recommendations, said Jeff Zients, Covid White House response coordinator .

But even with 2.5 million people a day being vaccinated, Zients emphasized that Americans must remain diligent in protecting themselves.

“Of course, there is reason for optimism, but there is no reason for relaxation,” he said. “This is not the time to let your guard down. We need to follow public health guidelines, wear a mask, distance yourself socially and get the vaccine in your turn ”.

Officials say there are now about 50,000 places where people can be vaccinated, a total that will increase, including mass vaccination sites run by the federal government.

Walensky said he remains concerned that the pandemic has disproportionately affected people in marginalized communities.

The CDC is addressing these inequalities, including more money on vaccine distribution and investment in “access, acceptance and absorption among racial and ethnic minority communities,” said Walenskay.

Meanwhile, chief infectious disease worker, Dr. Anthony Fauci, announced a new trial testing how vaccines prevent infection and transmission.

“The prevailing question is when these [vaccinated] people are infected, how often is it? If they are asymptomatic, how much virus do they have in their nose? And do they transmit it? ”He said, adding results will inform the government about recommended actions for those who have been vaccinated.