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Coronavirus: Fauci warns Senate of 'serious consequences' Coronavirus: Fauci warns Senate of 'serious consequences'
(32 minutes later)
The US's top infectious diseases doctor has warned senators that the "consequences could be really serious" if the country opens up too soon.The US's top infectious diseases doctor has warned senators that the "consequences could be really serious" if the country opens up too soon.
Speaking to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Dr Anthony Fauci said there are "several checkpoints" in the guidelines to reopen the US.Speaking to a Senate committee on Tuesday, Dr Anthony Fauci said there are "several checkpoints" in the guidelines to reopen the US.
"If some areas, cities, and states jump over those checkpoints and prematurely open up," he said, "my concern is we will start to see little spikes that will turn into outbreaks.""If some areas, cities, and states jump over those checkpoints and prematurely open up," he said, "my concern is we will start to see little spikes that will turn into outbreaks."
"There is no doubt even under the best of circumstances when you pull back on mitigation you will see some cases appear."There is no doubt even under the best of circumstances when you pull back on mitigation you will see some cases appear.
"It's not only doing it at the appropriate time, it's having in place the capability of responding when the inevitable return of infections occur.""It's not only doing it at the appropriate time, it's having in place the capability of responding when the inevitable return of infections occur."
He said that even if there is a drop in cases, the coronavirus will not disappear because "it's such a highly transmissible virus" and "it is entirely conceivable and possible" there will be a rebound in autumn.
"I hope that if we do have the threat of a second wave we will be able to deal with it very effectively to prevent it becoming an outbreak."
D Fauci also said there are multiple vaccines in development but "no guarantee" any will be effective, though based on his knowledge of other viruses, he is "cautiously optimistic".
"We have many candidates and hope to have multiple winners," he said. "In other words it's multiple shots on goal."
Earlier, in an email to the New York Times, Dr Fauci set out the arguments he intended to make at Tuesday's hearing, where he said the country will suffer "needless suffering and death" if it reopens too soon.Earlier, in an email to the New York Times, Dr Fauci set out the arguments he intended to make at Tuesday's hearing, where he said the country will suffer "needless suffering and death" if it reopens too soon.
"If we skip over the checkpoints in the guidelines to Open America Again, then we risk the danger of multiple outbreaks," he told the newspaper."If we skip over the checkpoints in the guidelines to Open America Again, then we risk the danger of multiple outbreaks," he told the newspaper.
More than 80,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the US. More than 80,000 people have died from the coronavirus in the US. Dr Fauci suggested on Tuesday that number could be higher due cases that have gone unreported but he does not "know exactly what percentage higher" .
Although the White House has laid out guidelines for reopening, it is ultimately up to state governors to make the decisions on how to ease the lockdown.Although the White House has laid out guidelines for reopening, it is ultimately up to state governors to make the decisions on how to ease the lockdown.
Re-opening the country prematurely "will not only result in needless suffering and death, but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal" said the doctor, who is a key member of the White House coronavirus task force.Re-opening the country prematurely "will not only result in needless suffering and death, but would actually set us back on our quest to return to normal" said the doctor, who is a key member of the White House coronavirus task force.
In his comments to the New York Times, Dr Fauci was referring to the White House's Opening Up America Again plan, which includes three 14-day phases that states should consider implementing as they allow schools and businesses to re-open.In his comments to the New York Times, Dr Fauci was referring to the White House's Opening Up America Again plan, which includes three 14-day phases that states should consider implementing as they allow schools and businesses to re-open.
He is testifying to the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee.He is testifying to the Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee.
Witnesses will be appearing remotely. Three members of the White House coronavirus task force are self-isolating after possible exposure to the illness, including Dr Fauci.Witnesses will be appearing remotely. Three members of the White House coronavirus task force are self-isolating after possible exposure to the illness, including Dr Fauci.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn are also self-isolating.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn are also self-isolating.
Dr Fauci has tested negative but will continue to work from home for the time being, and will be regularly tested.Dr Fauci has tested negative but will continue to work from home for the time being, and will be regularly tested.
He plans to warn of the risks associated with reopening the country too soon, and will advise people that there is a lot they can do to get back to normality, but they should follow government guidelines, he told CBS News.He plans to warn of the risks associated with reopening the country too soon, and will advise people that there is a lot they can do to get back to normality, but they should follow government guidelines, he told CBS News.
Some US states are beginning to lift lockdown orders. Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska and South Carolina have already allowed some businesses to reopen and have issued plans that call for more rules to be relaxed.Some US states are beginning to lift lockdown orders. Georgia, Oklahoma, Alaska and South Carolina have already allowed some businesses to reopen and have issued plans that call for more rules to be relaxed.
Tuesday's hearing will be Dr Fauci's first appearance before lawmakers since President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency in March.Tuesday's hearing will be Dr Fauci's first appearance before lawmakers since President Donald Trump declared a state of national emergency in March.
The senior health adviser - who has become the public face of the fight against the virus in the US - was blocked from testifying to a congressional committee examining the Trump administration's response to the pandemic on May 6.The senior health adviser - who has become the public face of the fight against the virus in the US - was blocked from testifying to a congressional committee examining the Trump administration's response to the pandemic on May 6.
What's the situation like in the US?What's the situation like in the US?
The United States alone has more than 1.3 million confirmed cases according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker - almost six times as many as any other country.The United States alone has more than 1.3 million confirmed cases according to the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker - almost six times as many as any other country.
The number of coronavirus-related deaths has now surpassed 80,000.The number of coronavirus-related deaths has now surpassed 80,000.
President Trump claimed that the US had "prevailed" in testing people for coronavirus infections in a news conference on Monday.President Trump claimed that the US had "prevailed" in testing people for coronavirus infections in a news conference on Monday.
But as of this week, the US has tested only 2.75% of its 330m population, and no state has tested 10% of residents.But as of this week, the US has tested only 2.75% of its 330m population, and no state has tested 10% of residents.
In a separate development, White House staff have been ordered to wear masks when entering the West Wing after two aides tested positive for coronavirus.In a separate development, White House staff have been ordered to wear masks when entering the West Wing after two aides tested positive for coronavirus.
Mr Trump said he did not need to follow the directive as he kept "far away from everyone".Mr Trump said he did not need to follow the directive as he kept "far away from everyone".