The number of new coronavirus cases and hospitalizations in the United States has continued to rise for weeks, but people still travel to and from all parts of the country on holidays. The number of American Airlines travels reached the highest level since the epidemic last weekend.
Public health experts warn that the United States may usher in another surge in cases.
Many people travel during the holiday
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration said on the 28th that more than 1.28 million passengers in the United States passed airport security checks the day before, 55% to 65% less than before the epidemic, but the highest number of travelers since mid-March. In addition, the number of domestic one-day air travelers has exceeded one million six times in 10 days.
Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, worries that large-scale holiday trips and gatherings may exacerbate the epidemic. He told CNN on the 27th that the United States is “very likely” to have a surge in cases after Christmas and New Year, “wave after wave”.
The United States is pushing for coronavirus vaccination, giving a glimmer of hope to control the epidemic, but the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths has reached a record high, and the epidemic may be exacerbated by holiday activities.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is scheduled to distribute nearly 16 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and German biotechnology company, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine of Modrena. The Washington Post analyzed that the vaccine covers about 5% of the population of the United States, enough to guarantee the first dose of three-quarters of medical staff and nursing home residents and employees.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously reported that although the first mutant novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom has not been found in China, it may have spread in the United States.
Many European countries, as well as Australia, Canada, Japan and Lebanon, reported the emergence of this mutant novel coronavirus, which caused concern. The mutant virus is not believed to be more lethal or cause more severe disease, but it seems to spread faster. The United Kingdom reported 41,385 new cases on the 28th, a record number.
Call for home celebration
In recent weeks, the United States has added about 200,000 new confirmed cases every day, with an average of more than 2,000 deaths and more than 100,000 hospitalizations. Fauci believes that the worst is yet to come, especially after the winter vacation.
Fauci said that travel and gatherings may lead to a surge in post-holiday cases, which in turn puts further pressure on the overburdened health care system.
Fauci’s fears are similar to that of President-elect Joseph Biden of the United States. “The darkest days we fought against COVID-19 are not yet, not over,” Biden said last week.
California continues to “leading” the state in the number of new, hospitalizations and deaths. After the Thanksgiving holiday, California has set a record number of new cases and hospitalizations in weeks, warning people of the consequences of mass travel and gatherings.
As the New Year approaches, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention once again called on people to spend the holiday at home on the 28th.” The safest way to celebrate the New Year is to celebrate at home with co-occupants, or online with relatives and friends,” the CDC’s official website for epidemic prevention advice reads. “Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.” Chen Dan)Click to enter the topic:
