A top federal health official is issuing a dire warning: Follow recommended coronavirus measures or risk having the worst fall in U.S. public health history. “For your country right now and for the war that we’re in against COVID, I’m asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”I’m not asking some of America to do it,” he told WebMD. “We all gotta do it.”Without following the recommendations, this could be “the worst fall, from a public health perspective, we’ve ever had,” he said. In addition to taking measures to combat the pandemic, people should also get a flu vaccine.”By getting vaccinated, you can protect your children,” he said. “When we look at the mortality that we see with flu, one thing is for certain. The kids that get vaccinated, they basically get protected against death.”The CDC has bought 10 million doses of the flu vaccine for uninsured adults this year, compared to the typical 500,000 doses. On coronavirus vaccines, Redfield is cautiously optimistic one or more vaccines will be ready by the start of 2021. The latest numbersMore than 5.1 million Americans have been infected and at least 166,000 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.On Wednesday alone, there were 55,910 reported new cases and 1,499 deaths — the highest number of fatalities since May.Over 2,000 people quarantined as schools reopenCoronavirus continues to spread at high rates across the South, Midwest and West — even as the total number of new cases has declined following a summer surge.Nationally, over the past seven days, the United States is averaging about 53,000 new cases per day, down 11% from the week prior. As educators and parents clash over starting in-person classes, some schools that have reopened have seen new cases.More than 2,000 students, teachers and staff have been placed under quarantine in the few reopened districts in several states, a CNN tally of reported cases show. Of those, at least 230 positive coronavirus cases have been reported among the school districts reopened for in-person learning.In Georgia, just outside Atlanta, more than 1,100 students, teachers and staff in the Cherokee County School District are under quarantine due to dozens of COVID-19 positive cases or exposure. Schools reopened 10 days ago.In Florida, a day after the Martin County School District reopened for in-person teaching, an entire elementary class and one bus route were placed under quarantine after a student showed coronavirus symptoms, spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo said Wednesday.Several states including Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Indiana reported cases of teachers, students and sports players testing positive for coronavirus. At Oklahoma’s Broken Arrow Public Schools District, 33 employees tested positive last week, Superintendent Janet Vinson said.The White House released new recommendations for schools. They are primarily basic hygiene tips and don’t outline what schools should do if they find coronavirus cases in their halls. The recommendations also encourage the use of masks, but do not require students, teachers or staff to wear them.President Donald Trump said the federal government will provide up to 125 million masks to school districts nationwide.U.S. has over 1,000 deaths daily for 17 daysDeaths from the virus have remained high.The seven-day average of daily coronavirus deaths was over 1,000 on Wednesday, the 17th consecutive day the U.S. averaged over 1,000 deaths per day.Adjusting for population, states in the Southeast are seeing the most new cases. Georgia and Florida — states that have not issued face mask requirements — have the highest per capita new cases over the past seven days, followed by Alabama and Mississippi.On Wednesday, Florida health officials announced more than 8,000 new case reports and 212 new deaths.Stop the spread of COVID-19To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask.Masks are required in public places in some states and businesses. Multiple major retailers have announced mask requirement policies as the nation continues to see a large number of cases reported in certain areas.The CDC also recommends you keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.Make sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.For more tips on how to stay safe, CLICK HERE.
A top federal health official is issuing a dire warning: Follow recommended coronavirus measures or risk having the worst fall in U.S. public health history.
“For your country right now and for the war that we’re in against COVID, I’m asking you to do four simple things: wear a mask, social distance, wash your hands and be smart about crowds,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I’m not asking some of America to do it,” he told WebMD. “We all gotta do it.”
Without following the recommendations, this could be “the worst fall, from a public health perspective, we’ve ever had,” he said. In addition to taking measures to combat the pandemic, people should also get a flu vaccine.
“By getting vaccinated, you can protect your children,” he said. “When we look at the mortality that we see with flu, one thing is for certain. The kids that get vaccinated, they basically get protected against death.”
The CDC has bought 10 million doses of the flu vaccine for uninsured adults this year, compared to the typical 500,000 doses. On coronavirus vaccines, Redfield is cautiously optimistic one or more vaccines will be ready by the start of 2021.
The latest numbers
More than 5.1 million Americans have been infected and at least 166,000 have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
On Wednesday alone, there were 55,910 reported new cases and 1,499 deaths — the highest number of fatalities since May.
Over 2,000 people quarantined as schools reopen
Coronavirus continues to spread at high rates across the South, Midwest and West — even as the total number of new cases has declined following a summer surge.
Nationally, over the past seven days, the United States is averaging about 53,000 new cases per day, down 11% from the week prior. As educators and parents clash over starting in-person classes, some schools that have reopened have seen new cases.
More than 2,000 students, teachers and staff have been placed under quarantine in the few reopened districts in several states, a CNN tally of reported cases show. Of those, at least 230 positive coronavirus cases have been reported among the school districts reopened for in-person learning.
In Georgia, just outside Atlanta, more than 1,100 students, teachers and staff in the Cherokee County School District are under quarantine due to dozens of COVID-19 positive cases or exposure. Schools reopened 10 days ago.
In Florida, a day after the Martin County School District reopened for in-person teaching, an entire elementary class and one bus route were placed under quarantine after a student showed coronavirus symptoms, spokeswoman Jennifer DeShazo said Wednesday.
Several states including Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma and Indiana reported cases of teachers, students and sports players testing positive for coronavirus. At Oklahoma’s Broken Arrow Public Schools District, 33 employees tested positive last week, Superintendent Janet Vinson said.
The White House released new recommendations for schools. They are primarily basic hygiene tips and don’t outline what schools should do if they find coronavirus cases in their halls. The recommendations also encourage the use of masks, but do not require students, teachers or staff to wear them.
President Donald Trump said the federal government will provide up to 125 million masks to school districts nationwide.
U.S. has over 1,000 deaths daily for 17 days
Deaths from the virus have remained high.
The seven-day average of daily coronavirus deaths was over 1,000 on Wednesday, the 17th consecutive day the U.S. averaged over 1,000 deaths per day.
Adjusting for population, states in the Southeast are seeing the most new cases. Georgia and Florida — states that have not issued face mask requirements — have the highest per capita new cases over the past seven days, followed by Alabama and Mississippi.
On Wednesday, Florida health officials announced more than 8,000 new case reports and 212 new deaths.
Stop the spread of COVID-19
To help stop the spread of the coronavirus, the CDC recommends wearing a face mask.
Masks are required in public places in some states and businesses. Multiple major retailers have announced mask requirement policies as the nation continues to see a large number of cases reported in certain areas.
The CDC also recommends you keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and others.
Make sure to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
For more tips on how to stay safe, CLICK HERE.
