COVID-19 Update: 9/21/20

The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at publication time, 6,786,352 coronavirus cases and 199,024 deaths had been reported in the US.

Around four weeks ago, those numbers were 5,422,242 reported coronavirus cases and 169,870 deaths. This is a difference of more than 1 million cases in one month.

However, the CDC noted that the agency does not know the exact number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. This is because symptoms might not appear immediately, there is a delay in reporting and testing, and they know many people are not getting tested or seeking medical care. Plus, the CDC noted that there may be differences in how states are confirming COVID-19 numbers.

New information continues to become available as health officials learn more about the virus. As coronavirus cases continue to increase, the search for an effective treatment and vaccine also continues.

Recently, the CDC announced that all 50 states should prepare to release a COVID-19 vaccine to high-risk groups like health care workers by late October or early November.

The CDC did not identify the possible vaccine, but it did describe two candidates, referred to as Vaccine A and Vaccine B.

Multiple pharmaceutical companies and health organizations have been racing to create an effective COVID-19 vaccine since the start of the pandemic.

According to The New York Times, the details about the two possible vaccines the CDC described appeared to match vaccine candidates from Moderna and Pfizer. These two products had progressed the furthest in clinical trials, with Pfizer saying its vaccine might be ready to be reviewed by government health officials by October.

You can take steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Wear a mask in public.
• Practice social distancing.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Follow other guidance from health officials.

Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.