Expert Warns U.S. May Be On The Cusp Of Another COVID-19 Infection Surge

A leading health expert says the United States could be on the cusp of another COVID-19 case surge, which health officials feared would happen as some states have already eased restrictions and lifted mask mandates.

"I think we are going to see a surge in the number of infections," emergency physician Dr. Leana Wen told CNN on Wednesday night. "I think what helps this time though is that the most vulnerable -- particularly nursing home residents, people who are older -- are now vaccinated. And so we may prevent a spike in hospitalizations and deaths."

After weeks of major declines, case numbers appeared to level off as the U.S. averaged tens of thousands of new cases daily recently, which has previously predicted surges in the past, according to some experts.

However, governors in states like Texas and Mississippi have cited less COVID-19 cases and an increase in vaccinations for lifting restrictions aimed to limit the spread of the virus.

Local leaders have also eased restrictions in cities as well, which includes Chicago leaders raising indoor capacity for bars, restaurants and other businesses and Baltimore officials announcement to ease restrictions on religious facilities, retail stores and malls, fitness centers and food service establishments on Wednesday, which will go into effect next week, CNN reports.

Those decisions have come as variants -- including the highly contagious B.1.1.7 variant -- of the coronavirus have become more present in the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky recently warned that the variants could ruin all the progress made by the U.S. during the ongoing pandemic if Americans get negligent.

CNN reports the B.1.1.7 variant is projected by experts to become the dominant variant in the U.S. by the end of March or beginning of April.

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