The grim warning comes as COVID-19 spirals out of control in many parts of the country.
I worry. I think the fall and winter of 2020 and 2021 will likely be one of the most challenging times we've experienced in U.S. public health.
Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seasonal flu outbreaks can lead to stresshealth system resources and at normal times. But in addition to a devastating pandemic with no end in sight, the annual surge in respiratory infections could overwhelm hospitals and clinics as the final straw. In this case, COVID-19 could get out of control.
The CDC estimated that up to 56 million people were sick during the 2019-2020 flu season, from October to April, which resulted in 740,000 hospitalizations and up to 62,000 deaths.
If hospitals and clinics get overwhelmedinfluenza and COVID-19 patients, healthcare providers will not be able to provide optimal care. This will lead to an increase in mortality among these patients, as well as patients seeking medical care for all other types of diseases and conditions.
In an interview, Redfield emphasized that the excessive mortality already seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in New York, points to overwhelmed health systems.
Avoid placing excessive load on the systemhealthcare, I think that's really important. The degree to which we can do this will determine how well we get through the fall and winter.
Dr. Robert Redfield, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Redfield urged Americans to respect socialdistancing and wearing masks in public. He also pointed to recent data showing masks are effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Since the pandemic began in January, the United States has reported more than 3.4 million COVID-19 cases and over 136,000 deaths.
Read also
Look at the huge “wall” of hundreds of thousands of galaxies behind the Milky Way
Comet NEOWISE is visible in Russia. Where to see her, where to look and how to take a photo
How T cells formed a new immunity against COVID-19 and changed statistics