Increase in US COVID Rates , Prompts Health Officials <br />to Urge Mask-Wearing, in Some Areas.<br />Federal health officials presented an assessment from the White House on May 18.<br />Speaking were Dr. Ashish Jha, the <br />White House COVID response coordinator, .<br />and Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).<br />We urge local leaders to encourage the use of prevention strategies like masking in public indoor settings.., Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, CDC Director, <br />via 'The New York Times'.<br />... and increasing access to testing and treatment <br />for individuals, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, CDC Director, <br />via 'The New York Times'.<br />The COVID briefing was the first to be conducted from the White House in six weeks.<br />According to federal data, hospital admissions related to COVID have increased by 20 percent over the past week.<br />The Northeastern U.S. has experienced the most dramatic increase in cases.<br />Dr. Jha urged Congress to approve additional COVID aid to address the rising cases and a potential wave in the fall.<br />Experts weighed in, stating that now is a good time <br />to reimplement prevention measures.<br />We’re seeing rising cases and hospitalizations and testing positivity rates; now is not the time to end these flexibilities that allow great access to care, Ashley Thompson, American Hospital Association, via 'The New York Times'.<br />We are not out of the woods yet, Ashley Thompson, American Hospital <br />Association, via 'The New York Times'.<br />We could be entering a period where we have an increased number of cases but a substantially decreased severity of illness, Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, University of Minnesota, <br />via 'The New York Times'.<br />... so that we see fewer hospitalizations and many <br />fewer deaths, Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, University of Minnesota, <br />via 'The New York Times'
