A new forecasting model from the University of Washington suggested that another 100,000 people could die from the novel coronavirus by December, per The Associated Press.
But Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN that this does not need to happen.
- “What is going on now is both entirely predictable, but entirely preventable,” Fauci told CNN. “We know we have the wherewithal with vaccines to turn this around.”
Fauci said vaccinations are key to stopping another 100,000 deaths.
- “We could do it efficiently and quickly if we just get those people vaccinated. That’s why it’s so important now, in this crisis that we’re in that people put aside any ideologic, political or other differences, and just get vaccinated,” he told CNN.
How bad is COVID-19 in the US?
Over the weekend, reports surfaced that about 1,000 Americans are dying from COVID-19 every day for the first time since March, according to MarketWatch.
- The rise in death has been driven by the contagious delta variant and the lifting of social distancing guidelines and mask restrictions.
How to stop COVID-19 surge
Fauci previously told CNN that the COVID-19 surge will be under control once the majority of people get the COVID-19 vaccine.
- “We hope we’ll be there ... but there’s no guarantee because it’s up to us,” Fauci said.
In a similar manner, he told the “Today” show that the COVID-19 vaccine will be key to stopping the pandemic in the near future.
- “If we do it right and get through the winter, I hope as we get to the spring of 2022, we’ll get there,” he said on the “Today” show.