Meanwhile, the CDC predicted on Wednesday that January will be a devastating month for pandemic impacts, even as the federal government allocates an additional $ 22 billion for testing, contact tracking, surveillance and vaccination,
The CDC forecast, assembled from 36 coronavirus models, projected that there will be 405,000-438,000 deaths by the end of the month. The previous set forecast, published on December 30, projected up to 424,000 deaths by January 23.
“We should have done better, but I think we should wait until maybe the second or third week of January, to see if we can now reach the original pace that has been set,” he said.
State see ‘a health crisis of epic proportions’
At the epicenter of the virus is California, a state that is among several to report record hospitalizations, increased deaths and health systems struggling to meet demand.
There were 459 new deaths from coronavirus on Wednesday and a record 22,820 patients being treated in hospitals for the virus, the California Department of Public Health reported.
More than 8,000 of them are hospitalized in Los Angeles County, where the emergency medical system is under great pressure, the health department said.
“This is a health crisis of epic proportions. I am more concerned than ever and, in part, my concern is rooted in the reality that it will take much more to slow the spread, given the high rate of spread in the community,” Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, said in a statement.
Elsewhere, Kentucky had two hikes on Wednesday: 5,743 new cases reported in one day and a positivity rate of 11.7%, the highest rate in the state since May.
“Today’s figures show the critical importance of an effort and a centralized response to defeat this virus,” said Governor Andy Beshear.
In Louisiana, the increase in cases and hospitalizations has led to stricter restrictions on coronavirus in New Orleans. As of Friday morning, meetings and special events are not allowed, except for people living together in a single house and outdoor tables in bars and restaurants will be limited to 6 people from the same house, according to a statement from the city hall.
“The coming weeks will be a turning point in the history of our response to this pandemic,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “These restrictions are short-term, but they exist for a reason.”
Older Americans, first to respond to being vaccinated
As cases grow, some states are expanding the number of people eligible to receive coronavirus vaccines.
US surgeon general Dr. Jerome Adams said on Wednesday that administration of the vaccine is “increasing rapidly” and he asked states to move on to the next priority groups so that the supply “can match demand”.
Adams said in “Good Morning America” that the US is now approaching 500,000 vaccinations a day and that more funding and locations are becoming available and that the list of priority groups is expanding.
Illinois, for example, reduced the minimum recommended age for residents to receive the vaccine from 75 to 65.
These vaccinations will take place in “a few weeks,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. said. The state made the decision to lower the barrier in the new phase because black and brown Americans were disproportionately affected by Covid-19 and are more likely to die from the virus at a younger age, on average, he said.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer said on Wednesday that Michigan will begin a new phase, including residents 65 and older, teachers, first responders and correctional officers as eligible for vaccination from Monday.
New Jersey will also expand vaccination to sworn police and firefighters as early as Thursday, said Governor Phil Murphy.
The ‘very dangerous game’ of the variant
“We are playing a very dangerous game with this virus now,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical leader for the coronavirus response, to CNN senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. “What concerns us is that the longer it spreads, the more opportunities it has to change.”
Van Kerkhove pointed out that many mutations will not have much impact on the virus, but if a virus changes its genetics in the right way, tests may not be able to detect it so easily and vaccines may not work as well against it.
The virus is more likely to mutate in countries like the United States, which is experiencing unprecedented and uncontrolled spread.
She pointed out that some countries, like Australia and New Zealand, did a better job of controlling the virus.
“It is totally up to us to be able to control the virus,” she said. “The virus is controllable, including these variants.”
CNN’s Jen Christensen, Virginia Langmaid, Elizabeth Cohen and Maggie Fox Ben Tinker, Sarah Moon, Cheri Mossburg, Rebekah Riess, Jamiel Lynch, Keith Allen, Naomi Thomas, Anna Sturla, Taylor Romine, Melissa Alonso and Elizabeth Cohen contributed to this report.