U.S. coronavirus outbreak could peak this week, CDC director says

The United States is currently leading the world in the number of deaths from the deadly coronavirus, topping 22,134 deaths. However, we may soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief if the new projection from CDC holds true. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director, the coronavirus outbreak could reach its peak in the United States this week, pointing to signs of stabilization across the country. Social distancing practices also help in bringing down the number.

New York state is the most hit state but the number of deaths seems to be going down. New York state alone accounts for about 40% of all the coronavirus related deaths in the United States.  About 2,000 deaths were reported for each of the last four days in a row, the largest number of them in and around New York City.

“We are nearing the peak right now,” Robert Redfield, director of the CDC told NBC’s “Today” show. “You’ll know when you’re at the peak when the next day is actually less than the day before.”

In the meantime, the director stops short of given a time frame for the re-opening of the U.S. economy and praised social-distancing measures that he said helped curb the mortality rate. “There’s no doubt we have to reopen correctly,” Redfield said. “It’s going to be a step-by-step gradual process. It’s got to be data-driven.”