The US has more than 20 million COVID-19 cases, but experts predict a tough time in January – Boston News, Weather, Sports

(CNN) — The United States recorded more than 20 million Covid-19 cases on Friday, hours after the country. The curtain opened in 2021 And left the worst month of the pandemic.

The country also set a Covid-19 hospitalization record for four consecutive days. The large number means 2020 behind us, The pandemic continues Devastate part of the country.. And some leaders warn that the worst is still ahead.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti told CNN Thursday that “we will still have the toughest and darkest days.”

More than 125,000 coronavirus patients were admitted to US hospitals on Friday. Covid tracking project data show.

Los Angeles County, Not only in California fought A brutal surge in infectious diseases, Hospitalization and death in the last few weeks, driving Health officials said, partly by a Thanksgiving rally.Rapidly increasing hospitalizations in the county “The brink of catastrophe” Health Services Director Dr. Christina Garry said.

According to the California Emergency Management Agency, Army Corps of Engineers design and construction experts have been stationed to repair oxygen supply systems at some older hospitals in the Los Angeles area.

The team will begin work on Saturday at six overburdened hospitals that have been identified as unable to supply high-pressure oxygen to Covid-19 patients due to infrastructure issues.

“California is continually working to support our hospitals and save the lives of COVID-19-affected Californians. Upgrades to problematic oxygen supply systems in these older hospitals. By working on, we can improve our ability to provide life-sustaining health care to those in need, “said Mark Gilarducci, Head of Emergency Services Governor’s Office.

In Atlanta, the convention center will once again be an overflow field hospital from Friday — a service previously provided twice during the pandemic — said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office.

According to data from a follow-up project, the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals in Georgia on certain days has more than doubled since mid-November. The convention center bed “helps ensure that our hospital continues to have the abilities needed for Covid and non-Covid patients,” Kemp said.

As early as Friday afternoon, the country recorded a total of more than 20,080,000 Covid-19 cases. Johns Hopkins Data.. According to official tally, it took the United States 292 days to count the first 10 million, and only 54 days to double that number.

However, the actual pace of infection was probably different.Researchers have long said that the number of infections is probably Millions of high, Partially underestimated due to testing limitations.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, December is the worst month of the US pandemic, accounting for more than 77,500 of the 346,000 Covid-19 deaths in the United States.

And experts warn that swells caused by holiday gatherings and trips could worsen daily numbers nationwide in the coming weeks.

You asked, we answered: your Covid-19 question

Millions of Americans have chosen to spend their time away from home, despite repeated calls from local and state leaders to celebrate with their families alone.

According to the genomics company, there is no evidence that British variants are common in the United States.

Genomics company Helix has told CNN that previous tests have not shown that more susceptible variants of the coronavirus are common throughout the United States.

According to helix officials, only four of the 31 samples were found to be positive for the pattern of mutations first identified in the United Kingdom.

The mutation pattern, known as B.1.1.7 or VUI-202012 / 01, was first seen in the United Kingdom and was found in at least 30 countries, as well as in samples taken from people in California, Colorado and Florida. it was done.

“I can’t say with confidence when the B.1.1.7 strain emerges in the United States,” said Dr. James Lou, co-founder and president of Helix. “But that’s not common. This shows that it hasn’t circulated for a long time.”

That said, the United States doesn’t look that harsh, he added. “Currently, the United States has fewer sequences than many other countries. (Genomics database) A recent report from GISAID shows that the United States sequences 0.3% of positive cases, compared to the United Kingdom. We estimate it to be 7%, “Lu added.

Fouch: U.S. does not follow UK decision to postpone second vaccination

As the United States concludes the third week of vaccination, Dr. Anthony Fauci issued a major statement on Friday on how they proceed.

Fauci told CNN’s senior medical correspondent Elizabeth Cohen that the United States would continue to receive the current coronavirus vaccine twice every few weeks and would not follow the UK’s decision that the second dose could be delayed. It was.

“I wouldn’t agree with that,” Forch said when asked about a new UK medication plan. “We will continue what we are doing now.”

So far, the US-approved coronavirus vaccine should be given twice every 3-4 weeks.

On Wednesday, the British government Presentation The UK has decided to prioritize the first dose of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine to the “highest risk group” and allow a second dose up to 12 weeks later.

The UK has adopted a strategy of giving the first dose to as many people as possible as soon as possible. Even the first shot claimed by British healthcare professionals will provide some protection.

When asked if the United States should adopt the UK plan at NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday, Forch replied, “It’s under consideration.”

But he told CNN on Friday that the comment was misunderstood.

Two vaccine makers, Pfizer and Moderna, who have been granted an emergency use authorization in the United States, have studied the efficacy of two doses every few weeks instead of months, said the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Forch said.

“In fact, we want to stick to what science is telling us. The data we have for both (vaccines) gives you a prime, then 21st in Pfizer, Modana. It shows a 28-day boost at, and now that’s our way and it’s the decision to be made, “he said on Friday.

“We make decisions based on the data. There is no data to wait longer than usual with a single dose,” he added.

When Fouch told NBC that following the British example was “under consideration,” he meant that some people, not US health officials, were talking about it, he said on Friday. Told to.

“That was a bit of a misunderstanding. I think some (but not all) were misunderstood when they said they were considering it. [as] May we change. We are not, “he said.

People who received the Pfizer vaccine on December 14th will soon receive a second dose.

According to experts, vaccines will take months to make a big difference.

Experts say it will take months for the vaccine to become widespread enough to change the direction of the pandemic.

To date, more than 12.4 million vaccines have been distributed nationwide and more than 2.7 million have been administered. According to the CDC Wednesday data. Deployment was slower than many officials expected, but if the United States catches up in 2021, widespread vaccination could be possible from early spring. Fouch said.

“Suppose in April what I call the” open season. ” In other words, anyone who wants to get vaccinated can get vaccinated, “Forch said. on Wednesday Online conversation With California Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Then, diligent vaccination of people in April, May, June and July will gradually provide significant protection close to herd immunity.”

This is how efforts are underway to vaccinate older people in some states.

If vaccinations are initiated, by the beginning of early fall, Forch said, “we have enough herd immunity and will really be able to return to a strong similarity to normal.”

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., Warner Media Company. all rights reserved.