The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the U.S. may see a “sharp decline” by July if people continue to get vaccinated at a high rate.
A new modeling study released on Wednesday by the CDC suggests “that with high vaccination coverage and moderate NPI [nonpharmaceutical interventions] adherence, hospitalizations and deaths will likely remain low nationally, with a sharp decline in cases projected by July 2021.”
However, the expected sharp decline could be delayed if there is a decline in vaccination numbers. The agency is also concerned about variants and people not following COVID-19 precautions (social distancing, wearing masks, etc.).
According to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, “Although we are seeing progress in terms of decreased cases, hospitalizations, and deaths, variants are a wild card that could reverse this progress that we have made and could set us back.”
President Joe Biden and his administration aim to have 70 percent of American adults at least partially vaccinated by July. But there has been a decline in those getting vaccinated.
“Nationally, reported cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are now decreasing or stable,” the researchers for the CDC study wrote. “However, transmission remains widespread and increased cases, hospitalizations, and deaths continue to be reported in some jurisdictions and, as this study indicates, the potential for future increases persists.”