"The Worst Pandemic Has Not Yet Arrived"… US Infections Increase Sixfold Compared to Last Year

'Memorial Day' and Summer Travel Peak Season See Sharp Increase in Confirmed Cases

On the 29th of last month (local time), one day before Memorial Day, the U.S. holiday honoring fallen soldiers, an American citizen visited Leavenworth National Cemetery located in Leavenworth, Kansas, to pay tribute to a relative. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] According to the U.S. political media outlet The Hill on the 29th (local time), the weekly average number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections has increased to more than six times last year's level, coinciding with the U.S. Memorial Day and the peak summer travel season.

According to the report, based on data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, the average number of infections over the past week as of the 28th reached 119,025. This is a 6.7-fold surge compared to 17,887 during the same period last year.

Experts have consistently warned that the number of infections could surge sharply as crowds gather for Memorial Day and summer vacations.

Earlier, The Washington Post (WP) reported that 39.2 million Americans planned to travel during this Memorial Day, which corresponds to 92% of pre-COVID travelers.

Deborah Birx, who served as the coordinator of the COVID-19 task force during the Trump administration, warned, "Americans need to prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 infections that may occur across the southern United States this summer." Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, also urged investment to prevent future pandemics, stating, "The worst pandemic has not yet come."

Meanwhile, compared to the increased number of infections, the mortality rate has decreased. The weekly death toll due to COVID-19 was recorded at 470 on the 27th, which is 167 fewer than the 637 deaths during the same period last year.

Experts explained that the reduction in mortality is due to factors such as △vaccination △improved immunity from prior infection △increased treatment possibilities.

Nevertheless, Gabe Kelen, Chair of Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, urged people to refrain from traveling, saying, "I know people are willing to take personal risks (for travel, etc.), but this is not a 'personal issue.' Many elderly people with weakened immunity are unable to go out because others are not willing to make the right choices."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.