The top infectious disease expert in the United States, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Thursday that it is not certain whether the threat of the coronavirus that has gripped the world will fade as the weather in the Northern Hemisphere warms in the coming weeks.
Dr. Fauci said on ABC television's "Good Morning America" that with other infections like the flu, when the weather warms up, "the ability of the virus to multiply, to spread, weakens."
"But we should not think that the change of time will save us. We must assume that the virus will continue to work. If time helps us, fine. But we do not believe that we should assume such a thing", he added, VOA reports.
Countries around the world continue to face the health and economic consequences of the coronavirus. According to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University, over 1.5 million people worldwide have been affected by COVID-19, and over 91 have died.
In the United States, the death toll from the coronavirus is nearly 16, while the number of infected is over 451, while the country is in the week when, according to experts, the epidemic is expected to reach its peak.
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The epicenter continues to be New York, where the governor said social distancing efforts are working.
Over 6 people have died in New York.
Meanwhile, the consequences of the coronavirus for the US economy are becoming increasingly clear.
The number of Americans who filed for unemployment benefits last week was a record 6,6 million, while measures to contain the disease have significantly paralyzed economic activity.
Meanwhile, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell announced a series of programs Thursday that he said will provide $2.3 trillion in loans, expanding the Federal Reserve's operations to help small and medium-sized businesses in American cities and states.
The U.S. central bank also gave more details about its market interventions, including plans to buy both investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds.
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In Europe, officials told citizens to stay at home during the Easter Holy Week, a period when pilgrimages and holidays are usually held.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson continued to improve and has left the intensive care unit at the hospital where he is being treated for the coronavirus.
