US official ‘optimistic’ about death estimates

ONE of America’s top health officials has said he “absolutely” expects the eventual US death toll number from coronavirus to be lower than originally estimated, as a leading scientific model downgraded its initial projections.

Dr Jerome Adams, the US surgeon general, said in an interview that he believed the number for total Covid-19 fatalities could be below the initial White House projection of 100,000 to 240,000 unveiled last week. “I feel a lot more optimistic, again, because I’m seeing mitigation work,” Dr Adams said on ABC’S Good Morning America.

“I really do believe that we will come in under those projections as long as we can continue to do our part for 30 days: staying at home, avoiding unnecessary travel, not gathering in large groups.”

Other senior figures, including Donald Trump, the US president, have talked cautiously about encouraging signs. Mr Trump has repeatedly mentioned seeing “light at the end of the tunnel”, while warning that the first half of April will be some of the toughest weeks for the country.

The Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington had projected 93,531 people would die. That has dropped to 81,766.

The figures were presented in a wide range, with the model suggesting the true number could end up being tens of thousands higher or lower depending on various factors.

In a separate development, Mr Trump removed the watchdog appointed to lead a panel overseeing the coronavirus relief effort.

Glenn Fine, the acting Defence Department inspector general, was voted by his peers to head the panel to monitor the implementation of a $2 trillion economic stimulus package. But, he is being replaced by Sean W O’donnell, the acting watchdog for the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Politico.