Coronavirus: Another 100,000 US deaths by September as cases pass 2m, doctor warns

Fears that an uptick in cases and hospitalisations since Memorial Day could worsen following nationwide protests

As the number of coronavirus cases passes 2 million in the US an infectious disease expert has warned another 100,000 Americans could die by Labor Day on 7 September, nearly doubling the current death toll to about 200,000.

Different data tracking tallies marked the 2 million barrier on Wednesday, while the official count from John Hopkins University is expected to pass the milestone on Thursday night or Friday morning.

While deaths in the US currently stand at 112,726, almost 30 per cent of the global total of 413,854, that number could rise even further by September.

Infectious disease experts from the Emory University School of Medicine warned that at the rate of about 1,500 deaths per day, we will hit about 200,000 deaths in the US in the autumn.

"That is a very sobering number," Dr Carlos del Rio, a professor of medicine and global health, said during a virtual briefing to mark the passing of 100,000 deaths in May.

"I think what we're beginning to see in the US is a certain stabilisation and plateauing in the number of cases, as well as the number of deaths."

As states continue reopening across the country, Mr del Rio said it was essential to track and isolate new infections to stop a second wave.

"I think we're going to see little outbreaks, but the idea is to make sure that those outbreaks don't become large outbreaks, and we can contain them so you can actually limit the spread of infection," he said. "Because obviously as you're opening up the economy, you will have cases, there's no doubt."

Following the nationwide protests of the past two weeks, health officials urged anyone who took part to get tested.

Since the 25 May death of George Floyd in police custody, thousands took to the streets in cities across the country to protest against racial injustice, often not social distancing or wearing face masks.

An uptick in new cases was reported in 21 states while nine states confirmed an increase in hospitalisations since Memorial Day – 25 May – according to data compiled by The New York Times.

Those included Texas, California, Arizona, Utah, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon and Mississippi.

Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases and lead expert on the White House coronavirus taskforce, said he was "very concerned the protests could trigger new infections".

"Every time I hear about or see the congregation of large crowds at a time and geographic area where there is active infection transmission, it is a perfect setup for the spread of the virus in the sense of creating these blips that might turn into some surges," Mr Fauci said.

"A situation where you have a lot of confusion and a little bit of chaos, people running back and forth, taking their masks off, being close in proximity, that does pose a risk."

At a White House press briefing on Wednesday, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said they were monitoring recent spikes in cases but they were not a concern to the coronavirus task force.

Referencing a report in the journal Nature on Europe's lockdowns, Ms McEnany said mitigation efforts had saved about 3 million lives in the US.

"Another study found that the shutdown efforts prevented 50 million additional coronavirus cases," Ms McEnany said. "So those are two very encouraging studies underscoring the work of the American people."