Fauci: Pandemic likely won’t improve by Christmas, New Year’s

It’s going to be a long holiday season, with little hope of the coronavirus pandemic improving by Christmas or New Year’s Day, Anthony Fauci told USA TODAY.

Coronavirus cases, which are currently surging across the country, are expected to remain high or continue to increase through December, January and February, according to the physician and immunologist.

“If the surge takes a turn of continuing to go up and you have the sustained greater than 100,000 infections a day and 1,300 deaths per day and the count keeps going up and up … I don’t see it being any different during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays than during Thanksgiving,” Fauci said.

The infectious disease expert implored Americans to show their loved ones they care by “keeping them safe” and avoiding family gatherings.

“For my own family, I’m saying we had a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. We’re looking forward to a really great Thanksgiving and Christmas in 2021. Let’s now make the best of the situation and show our love and affection for people by keeping them safe,” he said.

Fauci’s warning comes as the United States sets yet another coronavirus record Thursday, as the number of current COVID-19-related hospitalizations surpassed 90,000 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.