The "Plan D" of scientists in the fight against covid-19 1:35
(CNN) -
A vaccine remains the best way to end the covid-19 pandemic, health experts say, adding that pursuing herd immunity would be dangerous.
The idea of letting the virus run rampant through communities "misses the basic point that we are all connected."
So Dr. Thomas Frieden, former director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.
Frieden was responding to recent efforts to promote herd immunity in response to COVID-19.
The idea is being pushed by those eager to stop the economic damage that the pandemic has caused.
The virus has infected more than 7.9 million people and killed 216,872, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
The idea of herd immunity
A vaccine may be available for some groups by the end of the year.
But some politicians hoping to reverse the economic chaos of the pandemic have embraced the idea of letting the virus spread until enough people have been infected and built up immunity so there is no room for it to spread afterward.
Senior officials in the White House administration, in a call with reporters Monday, discussed a controversial statement written by scientists advocating such an approach.
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But the idea is "a dangerous fallacy not supported by scientific evidence" that puts at risk "significant morbidity and fatality throughout the population."
This is how 80 scientists from all over the world wrote in an open letter.
'Any infection anywhere is potentially a threat elsewhere.
Because, even if you feel good and get over it without problems, with no long-term consequences, you can infect someone who dies from it.
And that is what we are seeing all around the country, "said Frieden.
It's impossible to keep just the vulnerable protected from spread, Frieden said.
And letting the virus run rampant would likely lead to recurring epidemics.
This is because there is no evidence that people are protected in the long term after being infected, according to the letter.
The best way to achieve widespread immunity, Frieden said, will be through a vaccine.
"The concept (of herd immunity) really comes from vaccines," Frieden said.
“When enough people are vaccinated, the disease stops spreading.
And that could be 60%, 80%, 90% for different diseases.
Strong impacts of covid-19 throughout the United States
There has been an increase in new cases across the country in recent days, suggesting that a second expected wave has arrived.
South Dakota on Wednesday reported its biggest single-day increase with 876 new cases, according to the state health department.
And Pennsylvania has reported at least 1,000 new cases a day for nine days in a row, according to state health secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told reporters Wednesday that he believes the state is in its "third escalation" of covid-19.
And along with the surge in cases, Missouri on Tuesday reported a record 1,413 hospitalizations for the virus, according to the Missouri Department of Health.
As cases have increased in Tennessee, the virus is having a greater impact on older residents.
And people in rural populations have reported a fatality rate twice that of urban areas, Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey announced Wednesday.
“That means this is no longer limited to younger people or college-age students who are away from home.
This is now affecting the middle-aged and those at higher risk, so I think it's important to highlight that, ”Piercey said.
"I want people to internalize the fact that those of us who just live and go about our normal daily lives are at risk for this and we need to pay close attention," Piercey added.
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Political leaders and other officials at risk
The daily treatment of some politicians has been affected because they have been exposed to the spread of the virus.
President Donald Trump is no longer a risk of transmission after contracting the virus, Dr. Anthony Fauci said Wednesday, but the people around him may continue to be.
"I cannot vouch for anyone else who is there, whether they have been evaluated or have been careful in their interactions with people," Fauci told CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell on Wednesday.
He also cautioned that just because the president did well after his illness does not mean that others will have the same experience.
State leaders in Tennessee and Indiana are now addressing their own interactions with the virus.
Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said Wednesday that she, an adult daughter and a 23-month-old grandson all tested positive for COVID-19.
The health commissioner added that she participated in the contact tracing, but explained that she has not been in close contact with anyone except her immediate family.
And Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Wednesday that he hopes to get tested "on a regular basis" for the next several days after news that a member of his security team tested positive.
Sacrifice Thanksgiving gatherings
Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving meal can be a "sacred part of American tradition."
But Fauci told O'Donnell that the holiday might have to look a lot different this year.
“You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering, unless you're pretty sure the people you're dealing with aren't infected.
Either they have undergone tests very recently or they are living a lifestyle where they have no interaction with anyone except you and your family, "he said.
Small gatherings are becoming a growing source of the spread of the coronavirus, said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield during a call with governors Tuesday.
Audio of the call was obtained by CNN.
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"What we're seeing as a growing threat right now is actually acquiring the infection through little family gatherings," Redfield said.
"Particularly with the arrival of Thanksgiving Day, we think it's really important to emphasize vigilance for these ongoing mitigation steps at home."
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine at George Washington University, said Wednesday that he would advise people to consider not having Thanksgiving dinners indoors with others who are not in their immediate home.
“If you are lucky enough to live in a part of the country where the weather will be mild in November, have a Thanksgiving Day outside.
(But) I think that in the… places in the country where winter comes early, I think you have to be very careful, "Reiner told CNN's" New Day. "
“Next year will be much better.
Let's get over this and get over it safely.
CNN's Shelby Lin Erdman, Steve Almasy, Christina Maxouris Raja Razek, Lauren Mascarenhas, Jennifer Henderson, Rebekah Riess, and Gisela Crespo contributed to this report.
Herd immunity