Report: Millions more Americans could get COVID-19 before Inauguration Day

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• A new report from Reuters calculated that up to 13 million new coronavirus infections could happen between now and the inauguration on Jan. 20.
• Besides increasing infections, the country will also see an estimated 70,000 more deaths in the coming two months.
• Amid preparations on combatting the pandemic, President-elect Joe Biden also called on the current administration to enforce urgent measures to help minimize the spread of the virus.

As US President-elect Joe Biden prepares to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic once he enters office, a new report finds that coronavirus cases could continue to surge within the next two months until Inauguration Day on January 20.

Based on percentage growth trends and daily case counts from early November, Reuters estimated this week that the infection rates in the country could add about 8 to 13 million more cases and 70,000 more deaths between now and the inauguration.

Data from the New York Times also reported a spike in infections and hospitalizations based on Friday’s posting of more than 180,000 new cases as well as 1,389 new deaths.

In a series of tweets on Friday, Biden has prompted President Trump to take “urgent action” to control the spread of the coronavirus.

“I am the president-elect, but will not be president until next year. COVID-19 does not respect dates on the calendar, it is accelerating right now. Urgent action is needed today, now, by the current administration,” he wrote.

According to a White House spokesman, the outgoing administration’s top priority is focused on saving lives and continues to promote ‘common sense mitigation measures’ by being in contact with state and local jurisdictions and health care providers.

Yet, others have urged the administration to introduce stricter and more coordinated coronavirus strategies as cases continue to skyrocket as winter approaches.

“The epidemic is going to be worse than it was in the spring, and worse than it was for the everyday American,” said Yale University epidemiology professor, Gregg Gonsalves.

As the Trump administration transitions out, some have also raised doubts about how seriously the White House will handle the pandemic. According to state governors, the White House hasn’t issued any updates from the White House about the pandemic since before the Nov. 3 elections. Sources told The Hill that the next call with governors is slated on Monday.

Meanwhile, Trump commended the administration’s efforts to obtain and distribute a COVID-19 vaccine during a speech on Friday at the White House. 

Source: The Hill