Is the US Finally Flattening the Curve Against COVID-19?

(Photo: pxfuel)

The state of New York has begun seeing signs of plateauing in the coronavirus outbreak after virus-related deaths stayed "effectively flat" for two consecutive days. Experts see it as a positive sign following warnings of a devastating week ahead.

Governors from the state of New Jersey and Louisiana regained their spirits as well after seeing signs of the coronavirus slowing down. Although health officials report increasing cases, recent data showed the growth and hospitalization rates of coronavirus patients to be decreasing, possibly signaling the peak of the outbreak.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House infectious disease expert and director of NIAID, continues to urge the public to observe proper health measures and isolation policies despite seeing encouraging signs.

He acknowledged data suggesting the leveling off of the virus but said it is essential to know the start of the turnaround before claiming victory.

Fauci believes the results were made possible by all mitigation procedures imposed by the government, such as the shelter-in-place order and social distancing policies.

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, said following the strict COVID-19 protocols was more critical than ever as it will determine where the US will be a few weeks from now.

She also believes the "extraordinary compliance of the American people" will also help prevent the predicted 100,000 to 200,000 COVID-19-related deaths in the country.

"If we work as hard as we can over the coming weeks," she said, "we will see the potential to go under the numbers predicted."

'We are winning.'

American health officials reported over 367,000 cases since the Chinese government first confirmed the existence of the virus in December 2019. The pandemic killed more than 10,900 people.

The United States has the most number of coronavirus cases in the world. It is also one of the worst-hit countries, trailing behind two giant European countries, Italy and Spain, in the total number of deaths.

Various countries in Europe have also reported fewer COVID-19 deaths in recent days---a peak the US has yet to see.

Last week, American health officials reported more than 1,000 new deaths each day. State governments have imposed varying degrees of containment measures in hopes of curbing the spread of the virus.

Experts urge the public and the government not to let up in the fight against the health threat following the grim milestone of 10,000 deaths.

Despite the mounting cases and deaths in the nation, nine states have yet to issue formal lockdown orders, much to the disappointment of federal health authorities.

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson refused to impose a stay-at-home order as it would cause many businesses to close and hundreds of workers would lose their jobs. He also said the state's residents had taken it upon themselves to stay home.

Arkansas' health secretary believes enacting a lockdown policy in Arkansas is not the best option. They have, however, banned gathering of more than ten people and dining in at restaurants.

"What we're trying to do is not like be every other state," Hutchinson said, "What we're trying to do is to flatten the curve."