Health Official Warns of 2nd Coronavirus Wave

Coronavirus particle, illustration. Different strains of coronavirus are responsible for diseases such as the common cold, gastroenteritis and SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). A new coronavirus (2019-CoV) emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The virus causes a mild respiratory illness that can develop into pneumonia and be fatal in some cases. The coronaviruses take their name from their crown (corona) of surface proteins, which are used to attach and penetrate their host cells. Once inside the cells, the particles use the cells’ machinery to make more copies of the virus.

While Tuesday’s White House coronavirus briefing painted a bleak picture of the pandemic’s devastation in coming weeks, one top health official says the coronavirus is likely to make a second appearance after we get through the current crisis.

Dr. Robert Redfield, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says he expects a second wave of COVID-19 cases to hit the U.S. in late fall. And when that happens, Redfield says, “There will be a substantial portion of Americans that are susceptible.”

Most respiratory viruses – like the flu – are seasonal, and CDC researchers believe the coronavirus is no different, Redfield says. He suggests studying states that have seen a limited spread to develop countermeasures before the next round occurs.

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