A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecast that combines the data from dozens of independent models predicts US deaths from Covid-19 could reach 233,000 by the end of the month.
“This week’s national ensemble forecast indicates an uncertain trend in new COVID-19 deaths reported over the next four weeks and predicts that 2,800 to 6,800 new deaths will likely be reported during the week ending October 31,” the CDC says on its website.
A prior ensemble forecast said there would be a total of 207,000 to 218,000 coronavirus deaths by the end of this week.
More than 212,000 Americans have already lost their lives to the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University.
But deaths in the US have been declining recently. A total of 4,869 people in the US died from Covid-19 during in the first week of October, down 13% when compared to the first week of September (5,611 reported deaths).
Miami-Dade schools see first case
Workers in Florida’s Miami-Dade County spent overnight hours sanitizing an elementary school after a student tested positive for the virus.
It is the first positive test result since the school district, one of the nation’s largest, reopened Monday. But officials said the student didn’t contract the virus at the school.
“It was almost inevitable that as we reopen schools, some of these cases would happen,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said.
Contact tracers notified Wednesday night people who had close contact with the student. They were asked to be tested and quarantine for at least 14 days before being cleared to return to schools, according to Carvalho.
The student will remain at home until cleared by health officials to return, officials said.
Parents and employees at William Lehman Elementary were notified early Thursday morning.
