Former FDA commissioner, dr. Scott Gottlieb predicted on Sunday that the infectious, new type of COVID-19 would make up the “majority” of cases in the US by March.
‘It is estimated that the new variant probably represents about 1 percent of all infections in this country. In March, it will be the most infections, ‘Gottlieb said on’ Face the Nation ‘on CBS.
Gottlieb said it would “grow rapidly” and its arrival increased more pressure to ensure COVID-19 vaccines were distributed as soon as possible.
“I think the existence of this new variant that spreads more easily really creates more urgency to get the vaccine out faster and get more people vaccinated – even if it’s a more general population,” Gottlieb said.
‘There is currently a lot of excess demand for the vaccine, especially in the elderly population. “I think we need to think about going through these stages quickly, which we have demarcated, and starting faster towards a general vaccination program for people 65 and older,” he continued.
At least three states – Colorado, California and Florida – have confirmed cases of the new strain of coronavirus, which first emerged in the UK.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the new variant of the coronavirus could be 70 percent more transmissible than other known strains.