Next month could see the number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States exceeding half a million, warned a candidate for the administration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Biden’s choice to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there would be “dark weeks” in the pandemic after the new administration took office.
“By mid-February, we expect half a million deaths in this country,” Walensky told CBS presenter Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation on Sunday.
She added that Americans “have not yet seen the ramifications of what happened on the vacation trip,” which could mean more hospitalizations and deaths.
The United States is approaching 400,000 deaths from viruses since the pandemic began.
Biden is committed to delivering 100 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine in the first 100 days of his presidency as one of his top priorities.
“We have looked closely and are confident that we have enough vaccine for the 100 million doses over the next 100 days,” Walensky said.
“This is what the president-elect promised. It will be a difficult lift, but we have it in us to do it. ”