Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'A Whole Lot Of Trouble' Is Brewing, Fauci And Local Health Officials Warn
CNBC: Dr. Fauci Says U.S. Faces 'A Whole Lot Of Trouble' As Coronavirus Cases Rise Heading Into Winter
The United States is “facing a whole lot of trouble” as coronavirus cases continue to surge across the country heading into the cold winter months, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told CNBC on Monday. The U.S. reported more than 44,600 new cases on Sunday and the seven-day average rose to over 49,200 new cases per day, up more than 14% compared with a week ago, according to a CNBC analysis of data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Average daily cases were up by more than 5% in 36 states and the District of Columbia, CNBC’s analysis shows. (Feuer, 10/12)
CNN: US Coronavirus: Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases And Hospitalizations, Local Leaders And Public Health Experts Worry Of A Coming Surge
With 33 states reporting a rise in new Covid-19 cases and a nationwide uptick in hospitalizations, local officials worry this could be the beginning of the coming surge experts have warned about. In Colorado, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock said Covid-19 cases are rising at a "concerning rate," while the city's seven-day average daily case rates are as "high right now as they were at the height of the pandemic back in May." (Maxouris, 10/13)
The Hill: Former CDC Director: 20,000 More COVID-19 Deaths Possible By End Of Month
Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Tom Frieden predicted October will see another 20,000 additional COVID-19 deaths based on the rising number of cases in dozens of states. Frieden, who served under former President Obama, spoke at CNN’s "Coronavirus: Facts and Fears" town hall on Sunday night and warned that he thinks that as many as 20,000 more people will die due to complications from the coronavirus by the end of the month. (Coleman, 10/12)
In global developments —
The Washington Post: Second Wave Of Covid-19 In Europe Leads To New Restrictions But No National Lockdowns
England has seen new coronavirus cases quadruple in the past three weeks and now has more covid-19 patients hospitalized than before the government imposed a lockdown in March, health authorities said Monday, laying the groundwork for a fresh package of restrictions. But, like much of Europe, Britain is now pursuing targeted local restrictions — such as closing pubs in Liverpool, England — while doing everything it can to avoid another national lockdown and closure of schools. (Adam, 10/12)
AP: UN Warns Against Pursuing Herd Immunity To Stop Coronavirus
The head of the World Health Organization warned against the idea that herd immunity might be a realistic strategy to stop the pandemic, dismissing such proposals as “simply unethical.” At a media briefing on Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said health officials typically aim to achieve herd immunity by vaccination. Tedros noted that to obtain herd immunity from a highly infectious disease such as measles, for example, about 95% of the population must be immunized. (10/12)
