"The flu has a mortality of 0.1 percent," Fauci told one GOP lawmaker. "This has a mortality of ten times that.
"Bottom line, it's going to get worse," Fauci noted.
Fauci said while testing and development of a vaccine is already underway, it will take a minimum of 12 to 18 months for that to be tested to see if it works - and if it is safe.
"Now anyone who thinks they will go more quickly than that, I believe will be cutting corners," Fauci added.
.@RepMaloney: "Is the worst yet to come?"
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 11, 2020
Dr. Anthony Fauci: "Yes, it is…We will see more cases and things will get worse than they are right now…Bottom line: it's going to get worse."
Watch full #Coronavirus hearing here: https://t.co/qUfpOTAqTq pic.twitter.com/RNBNiPrFN1
“Bottom line is that it’s going to get worse.
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) March 11, 2020
"⁰⁰The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci says the worst is yet to come in terms of the #Coronavirus outbreak pic.twitter.com/MAOXBNq5BE
While the number of cases are trending downward in China, health officials said their concern now has shifted closer to the United States.
"Europe is the new China," said Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control.
While health officials wait for the development of a vaccine and drugs to specifically treat the Coronavirus, Fauci said the next steps will be left to local health officials to figure out how best to prevent further spread of the virus.
"We're going to have to rely on public health measures to contain this outbreak," as Fauci said state and local officials should act now - especially in areas which have seen no cases at all.
“We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “If that means not having anybody in the audience when the NBA plays, so be it.”
Those type of measures would include efforts by state and local governments to limit public gatherings, closing schools, and other measures to reduce the chances of people transmitting the virus through contact with others.
Some like Gov. Mike DeWine of Ohio have already called for sports teams to not allow fans to gather and watch games.
"For indoor events, we are asking for no events with spectators other than the athletes, parents, and others essential to the game," DeWine said Tuesday.
"Right now, outdoor events can continue," DeWine added.
In Kentucky, Gov. Steve Beshear (D) on Wednesday urged churches to postpone services, as a way of not bringing people together, in order to combat the Coronavirus.
BREAKING NEWS: Beshear urges Kentucky churches to cancel services and says all should avoid crowdshttps://t.co/Qfa836pHRl pic.twitter.com/vU2ad7FCjR
— Lexington Herald-Leader (@heraldleader) March 11, 2020
Asked whether the Ivy League is overreacting by cancelling its conference tournament or the NBA is under-reacting by still playing games in front of crowds, Dr. Fauci says "We would recommend that there not be large crowds."
— Mary Ellen McIntire (@MelMcIntire) March 11, 2020
"I have recommended people think carefully before gathering in large groups," said Gov. Jay Inslee (D) of Washington State.
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