Coronavirus will exist for years but can likely be controlled without complete shutdowns, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.
In a new interview, Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said the “highly transmissible” nature of the virus makes it unlikely it will be eradicated from the planet.
“But what I think we can do with the combination of a good vaccine and attention to public health measures — by attention I don’t mean shut down, I mean things that are just prudent — then I think we can get behind this,” Fauci said.
Among those prudent steps are wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, washing their hands and opting for outdoor activities over indoor ones to slow transmission of the virus, he added.
Fauci said he believes the virus should become more manageable as time progresses.
“I hope and feel it’s possible that by the time we get through 2021 and go around for another cycle that we’ll have this under control,” he said. “Is it conceivable that we won’t? Of course. I would be unrealistic to say that. Do I think we’re going to have much, much better control one full year from this winter? I think so.”
More than 158,000 Americans have died of COVID-19 with almost 4.8 million confirmed cases in the U.S.
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Texas reports almost 9,000 new coronavirus cases
Texas reported 8,706 new coronavirus cases Wednesday, a decline of 461 from Tuesday and 336 from a week ago.
The positivity rate, however, jumped to almost 16%, up 2 percentage points from Monday and up 3 percentage points from a week ago. The state reported 235 deaths Wednesday but saw a decline in hospitalizations.
43% of Florida’s COVID-19 deaths linked to long-term care facilities
More than 40% of all COVID-19 deaths in Florida are linked to long-term care facilities.
Data from the Florida Health Department shows 3,155 out of 7,402 deaths are among those in long-term care facilities.
Coronavirus changes Democrat convention plans
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden will not travel to Milwaukee to formally accept his party’s 2020 presidential nomination, the Democratic National Committee said.
Biden will accept his nomination virtually from his home state of Delaware. Other speakers, including Biden’s eventual running mate, will all address the gathering virtually.
The Democratic convention is planned for Aug. 17-20.