CDC: U.S. Facing 'Most Difficult' Months in 'Public Health History'

The U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director cautioned Wednesday that the unprecedented ferocity at which the Chinese coronavirus is plaguing the country would make the next few months “the most difficult in the public health history of this nation” before vaccines become widely available.

Speaking at an event hosted by the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Robert Redfield stressed that roughly nine out of every ten hospitals in the country and another 90 percent of long-term care facilities are in areas with high infection levels.

So we are at a very critical time right now about being able to maintain the resilience of our healthcare system. The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times. I actually believe they’re going to be the most difficult in the public health history of this nation, largely because of the stress that’s going to be put on our healthcare system.

Coronavirus fatalities are on the rise, Redfield conceded, noting that the U. S. is already in the neighborhood of recording between 1,500 and 2,500 deaths every day, similar to the peak levels reached in April.

Echoing other public health experts, Redfield noted that unlike the previous spike in cases, the one currently plaguing the U. S. is reaching every corner of the country as it continues to spread on a much deeper level than any previous wave so far.

Several top health officials involved in the Trump administration’s efforts to approve a vaccine in record time as part of Operation Warp Speech have recently indicated that healthcare workers and other vulnerable Americans, including residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, could be first in line to get the shot by the end of this month, as recommended by a CDC panel this week.

Operation Warp Speed is a public-private partnership that involves U. S. Health and Human Services (HHS), including its CDC and FDA components, and the Pentagon.

On Tuesday, Moncef Slaoui, the chief science adviser for Operation Warp Speed, said the U. S. could inoculate its ... (Read more)

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