With just six weeks until Thanksgiving, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield is worried that people will spread COVID-19 as they celebrate the holiday. Redfield told the nation's governors that health officials are seeing an increasing number of cases spread through small household gatherings.
"In the public square, we're seeing a higher degree of vigilance and mitigation steps in many jurisdictions," Redfield said, according to CNN. "But what we're seeing as the increasing threat right now is actually acquisition of infection through small household gatherings."
He told the governors that they must stress people need to follow social distancing guidelines and wear masks, even if they are in their own home with a small group of people.
"Particularly with Thanksgiving coming up, we think it's really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting."
Redfield's advice comes as the United States continues to see a surge in new cases and hospitalizations. On Tuesday, the seven-day average of new daily cases surpassed 51,000, topping 50,000 for the first time since the summer. Thirty-six states have reported at least a ten percent increase in new cases over the past week. There are currently 36,000 people hospitalized across the country with COVID-19, which is the highest number since the end of August.
As the number of coronavirus infections continues to rise, many states are reinstituting restrictions to help mitigate the spread.
"Rollbacks will mean more economic turmoil for so many workers and business owners in our state who have already suffered and sacrificed so much," New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said. "But it is our only chance to prevent more devastating illness and to save lives."
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