Gottlieb Predicts COVID-Related Deaths Could Reach 300K By Year’s End

Dr. Scott Gottlieb — former Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner for President Donald Trump — is predicting a sharp uptick in coronavirus-related deaths by the end of the year — more than double the current number of deaths.

When Gottlieb appeared on CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Wednesday he discussed the United States’ uptick in coronavirus cases as the pandemic rages on. He was asked about the possibility of other ways to combat the virus.

According to Gottlieb, the rate of transmission likely will not slow down until a minimum of approximately 30% of Americans has been infected.

Gottlieb said, “Well look, the rate of transmission is going to slow down as more people get infected. I don’t think you need to infect 50% of the population.”

He continued, “Once you get to 30 or 40% of the population, you’re going to see transmission start to slow because what’s going to happen is that most susceptible to the virus … are going to get it first and once they’ve been infected, it’s not going to transfer as efficiently.”

See Gottlieb’s remarks below:

Noting that only 7.5 to 10% of the population is likely infected now, Gottlieb said, “We’re going to see this continue to spread around the country.” He then continued with his predictions about coronavirus-related deaths.

“In the United States, probably you know by the end of the year, we could have upwards of 300,000 if we continue on the current trajectory. Right now, we have close to 1,000 casualties a day. So if we don’t change that trajectory, you could do the math and see where we are toward the end of the year.”

He also noted that “in-hospital mortality has declined,” with some physicians saying it may have been “cut in half.”

Gottlieb’s remarks come as at least 39 states are battling increases in coronavirus cases daily. As states work to mitigate the spread of the virus amid schools preparing to reopen, there are more than 4.1 million confirmed coronavirus cases in the United States.