CDC director says it’s possible coronavirus could become seasonal
Mar 26, 2020, 11:30 AM | Updated: 1:30 pm
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
PHOENIX – The doctor in charge of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it makes sense to be prepared for a return of the coronavirus before the outbreak is even gone.
“This virus is probably not going to go away once it stops its aggressive transmission in the United States,” Robert Redfield told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday.
“We’ll have to get prepared [that this] virus may come back.”
Arizona on Thursday morning reported two new COVID-19 deaths and more than 100 additional cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The case total jumped to 508 from 401 in the past day, and death toll increased to eight.
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Redfield said respiratory viruses have a tendency to be seasonal.
“We don’t know for certain that this virus is going to follow the pattern of flu, but I think it’s a reasonable hypothesis to be prepared for,” he said.
Across the country, Redfield’s agency reported 737 deaths from more than 54,000 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.
“We’re seeing an increase of 25% a day,” he said.
But, “If communities really come together, united, and really are vigilant about do what we’ve asked them to do, this outbreak will stop.”
