CDC to Issue New Mask Guidelines as Early as This Afternoon

According to former CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden, the U.S. could see about four times the current rate of Coronavirus cases in the next 4 to 6 weeks as the Delta variant spreads throughout the population. Frieden said  “We’re heading into a rough time. It’s likely, if our trajectory is similar to that in the United Kingdom, that we could see as many as 200,000 cases a day.” He also added that the U.S. likely won’t see the ‘horrific death tolls’ of earlier in the pandemic thanks to the number of people who are vaccinated. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the last time there were more than 200,000 new cases in the U.S. in one day was back in January. The Delta variant is believed to be more transmissible than other strains of the virus.

Also in Coronavirus news, top federal health officials have debated whether to issue new guidance on masks and are close to announcing their decision. Top officials met on Sunday to go over the new data and evidence regarding transmissibility of the variant and breakthrough cases according to a source. White House officials have said previously that it would be up to the CDC whether to change official guidance and Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky is expected to announce that decision at 3 p.m. today.