Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, warned Sunday that a “fourth surge” in COVID-19 infections may hit some states in the coming weeks.
In an interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Birx said it was encouraging to see city mayors trying to get infection rates down in the current surge that has crowded hospitals around the country.
“All these mayors are working to decrease their number of cases and getting to a plateau, and now we could have a fourth surge,” she said of the expected spike resulting from Thanksgiving holiday travel.
“We know people may have made mistakes over the Thanksgiving time period,” she added.
“So if you're young and you gathered [with family or friends], you need to be tested about five to 10 days later,” she advised. “But you need to assume that you're infected and not go near your grandparents and aunts and others without a mask.”
“And if you're over 65 or you have comorbidities and you gathered at Thanksgiving, if you develop any symptoms, you need to be tested immediately because we know that our therapeutics work best, both our antivirals and our monoclonal antibodies, work best very early in disease,” she said.
Birx said though people got together for Thanksgiving, they should be especially focused on getting tested, and follow mask-wearing, social distancing and hand washing guidelines.
“I know we have some incredibly independent and fabulous Americans, I've met them on my trips, that have spent a lifetime protecting their land, protecting their livestock and protecting their families,” she said.
“To every American this is the moment to protect yourself and your family.
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