Health Experts Worry That Variants Could Spark Another Surge In COVID Cases

While the number of deaths and new cases of COVID-19 have been trending down as more and more people get vaccinated, health officials are urging people not to be complacent and continue to wear masks and practice social distancing. There is concern that the new mutations, such as the B.1.1.7 variant discovered in the U.K., could spark a new wave of infections as states continue to ease restrictions.

Michael Osterholm, who is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said that we are in the "eye of the hurricane" and is concerned that states are beginning to lift restrictions at a time when people need to be vigilant.

"Four weeks ago, the B.1.1.7 variant made up about 1 to 4% of the virus that we were seeing in communities across the country. Today it's up to 30 to 40%," Osterholm told NBC's Meet the Press.

He went on to explain that in Europe, when the new variants topped 50% of cases, it caused cases to surge.

"We've been tracking it very closely since then," infectious diseases specialist and epidemiologist Dr. Celine Gounder told CNN. "Where it has hit in the U.K. and now elsewhere in Europe, it has really been catastrophic. It has driven up rates of hospitalizations and deaths, and it's very difficult to control."

Photo: Getty Images


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