CDC’s Director warns of fourth surge, IUPUI expert worried as spring break gets underway
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — In an emotional plea, U.S. Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky said if Americans aren’t careful, a fourth COVID-19 surge could be on the way. Walensky said 27 states have seen at least 10% more cases per day this week than last week.
“We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential for where we are and so much reason for hope, but right now I’m scared,” Walensky said.
She pointed to relaxed restrictions and an increase in travel as reasons for the surge. As spring break gets underway in Indiana, IUPUI Director of Epidemiology Education Tom Duszynski also has concerns.
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“Yeah, I absolutely do only because of the fact that we are still seeing these trends, we are still seeing these events where people are gathering without masks and we know that the younger population isn’t fully vaccinated yet,” Duszynski said.
He said people 18-29 years old have historically been the highest infected group throughout the pandemic. Duszynski said right now, Indiana’s rise in cases likely comes from pandemic fatigue, an urge to travel and a false sense of security as more people are vaccinated.
“All those things combined are kind of leading what we’re seeing, that we’re kind of coming down off a really high peak and we want to keep going down, so our message is don’t let your guard down now,” Duszynski said.
Indiana’s positivity rate has increased from 3% to 3.6% since March 1.