Tracking the trends of how COVID-19 is spread
White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said the amount of asymptomatic spread is large. โWhen you start to look at this college data, it may be up to 80% of individuals under 30 are asymptomatic," Birx said. "And weโre still getting the data from all of the colleges.โThe CDC said understanding and tracking positive test rates by age group could help public health officials identify future hotspots and better prevent and prepare for a rise in COVID-19 cases. โThe way you find that is the way the universities are finding it -- regular testing," Birx said. "If you wait until people have symptoms, youโve waited too long because thereโs so much asymptomatic spread before that.โAs temperatures get cooler, health officials are reminding everyone to keep wearing masks, social distancing and washing their hands.
Michigan sees biggest spike in daily COVID-19 cases since beginning of pandemic
Saturdayโs update brought 1,522 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, the highest daily count since April 7. The weekly average of daily new COVID-19 cases hit 1,020 -- the highest since April 17. Six states -- including Ohio -- had record breaking single-day increases of cases, leading to new fears that we may be at the beginning of a second wave. โWe are all deeply afraid that this is the beginning of that dreaded second wave.โA second wave of COVID-19 is already happening in Europe. The warning of a second wave comes a day after health officials reported the highest number of new COVID-19 cases in nearly two months.
Why experts say this weekend is make or break in battle against COVID-19 heading into fall
The threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is looming over Labor Day weekend, and public health experts are saying this could be a make or break moment as we head into the fall. Please, wear your mask, Dr. Deborah Birx said. Even though the cases are less, were still seeing cases, and the only cases Ive seen in the last week were all from large social gatherings, either indoors or outdoors, getting infected. Schools will strictly be a reflection of whats happening in the community and whats happening in that county, an expert said. If you have to see them, wear a mask and stay far apart, she said.
Dr. Deborah Birx visits Michigan: Thank you for following the guidelines
White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx visited Michigan Wednesday, after leaving Chicago, to discuss the states response to COVID-19. Tell the people here in Michigan, Thank you, for following the guidelines and the mandate in keeping your cases down, Birx said. Birx is hoping things wont become worse with Labor Day weekend days away. Were going into Labor Day. So lets over this Labor Day weekend really protect one another.
Top coronavirus (COVID-19) doctor: Dont wait for vaccine to start fighting virus
One of the nations top coronavirus (COVID-19) doctors is urging Americans not to wait on a vaccine to start fighting the spread of the virus. Dont wait for the vaccine to do the right thing, Birx said. Right now, we gain freedom through wearing our mask and socially distancing, Birx said. Not only is the virus real -- the consequences of the virus are real, Birx said. The number of Americans that we have lost to this virus is real.
Dr. Birx on what Michigan needs to do to keep COVID-19 numbers down
WASHINGTON The White House coronavirus task force held its first briefing in several weeks Friday. Just after the briefing, Local 4 had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Deborah Birx about the issues in Michigan. While Michigans response was commendable in the early months, we are seeing an uptick in cases. READ: Michigan virus cases up 389 -- Highest one-day total in JuneYou can see the interview in the video player above.