Speaking to CBS This Morning, Dr. Jerome Adams said it was difficult to say if the worst is yet to come for the U.S. as the spread of virus is different in each area of the country and “everyone’s curve is going to look different.”
Adams predicted that “hot spots like Detroit, like Chicago, like New Orleans will have a worse week next week than what they had this week” but is confident the spread in New York may slow. “The virus and the local community are going to determine the timeline. It’s not going to be us from Washington, D.C. People need to follow their data, they need to make the right decisions based on what their data is telling them.”
Despite the warnings, Adams said there is some good news as there has been an increased of testing for COVID-19 in the country.
“We’re approaching a million tests. We’re trying to give people the data so that they can make informed decisions about where they are on their timeline and what they should be doing.”
In a separate interview, Adams reiterated some places “haven’t hit their peak yet” and are going to need more time than the soon-to-end 15-day restriction period previously announced by President Donald Trump in order to help combat the spread of the virus.
“I think in some places definitely we’re going to need a lot more” time, Dr. Adams said on ABC’s Good Morning America. “Some places, it doesn’t matter if it’s Easter or Memorial Day or if it’s Labor Day. We know that we want people to be thinking about what they can do now so that we can quickly get through this with as few deaths and as few hospitalizations as possible.”
Adams’ remarks came as the country reported the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, with more than 86,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. More than 1,300 people have died from the virus in the U.S., with 753 patients recovering.
The below infographic, provided by Statista, shows the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York state compared to Washington and California.
Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub. Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste. Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms. Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people. If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance. Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease. Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning. Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask. Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask. Do not reuse single-use masks. Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves. The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
