US Covid death toll will remain high unless Vaccine is paired with mask-wearing: IHME

As world continues to grapple with  COVID-19 pandemic, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at University of Washington in Seattle projects said that despite release of Coronavirus vaccine, a total of over 500,000 people could die from pandemic in US by early spring. IHME also said that expected vaccine rollout only reduces death toll by April 1 by 9,000 deaths. recent projects reveal that expected vaccine rollout will reduce COVID-19 related death toll to 528,000 in US with vaccination targeting high-risk groups, death toll could be reduced from 548,000 to 524,000. 

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IHME: 'Over 500,000 people could die from COVID-19 in US'

According to IHME, " forecasts show that if mask-wearing increased to 95 per cent, combined with expected vaccine rollout, approximately 66,000 lives could be saved, compared to a vaccine roll out a scenario with current mask-wearing levels remaining same. Even with a vaccine, if states do t act to bring current surges under control, death toll could reach 770,000 by April 1."

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Speaking furr about Coronavirus station across world, IHME said that steady decline in COVID-19 infection rates is expected to start in February and will continue to March and subsequent months. Earlier this week, a US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee voted to give healthcare workers and nursing home residents first set of COVID-19 vaccine which is expected to roll out within 3 weeks. While addressing a Saturday rally in Valdosta, Georgia, outgoing President, Donald Trump, said that vaccines will be made available in US next week. 

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As per latest reports, total number of Coronavirus cases in US has surpassed 14.5 million. So far, more than 281,000 people have died from virus infection. Currently, United States is worst-hit country from COVID-19. death toll in country is highest when compared to rest of world. 

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(With ANI inputs)