Fauci warns of 'needless suffering and death'
The most notable US infectious diseases doctor has warned senators the virus will spread if the united states opens up too early.
Dr Anthony Fauci said if federal guidelines to reopen are not followed, "little spikes" can be outbreaks.
He also said the true US death toll is most likely higher than the state figure of 80,000.
His message reaches odds with the upbeat tone of President Trump who is keen to have the economy going again.
Dr Fauci was speaking via video to a Republican-led committee of the united states Senate.
He was referring to the White House's CHECKING America Again plan, which include three 14-day phases that states are urged to consider implementing because they allow schools and businesses to reopen.
Several US states already restarting their economies have infection rates that are rising, not falling.
He warned of the chance of triggering an outbreak that officials would not manage to control, adding that this outbreak would problem economic recovery and may bring about "suffering and death".
Although the White House has laid out guidelines for reopening, it is ultimately up to convey governors to make the decisions on how to help ease the lockdown.
"There is absolutely no doubt, even beneath the best of circumstances, when you pull back on mitigation you will notice some cases appear," Dr Fauci warned the united states officials.
'Cautiously optimistic'
Questioned about the likelihood of a rebound in autumn of the virus, Dr Fauci said one is "entirely conceivable and possible".
"I hope that if we do have the risk of a second wave we are able to manage it very effectively to avoid it becoming an outbreak."
Dr Fauci also said there are multiple vaccines in development but "no guarantee" any will succeed, though predicated on his understanding of other viruses, he is "cautiously optimistic".
"We have many candidates and desire to have multiple winners," he said. "Put simply it's multiple shots on goal."
Witnesses testify remotely
Witnesses appeared remotely through the over three-hour long hearing, as did some senators on the Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor and Pensions.
The three members of the White House coronavirus task force who testified are self-isolating after possible exposure to the condition, including Dr Fauci.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr Robert Redfield and Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn are also self-isolating.
Dr Fauci has tested negative but will continue to work from home for the moment, and will be regularly tested.
The hearing was led by Republican Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander from his home in the Smoky Mountains. His dog Rufus was occasionally seen slumbering in the backdrop of the video conference call.
"Residing at home indefinitely isn't a solution to this pandemic," said Mr Alexander, adding: "There isn't enough money open to help all those hurt by a closed economy."
Washington Senator Patty Murray, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, charged that Mr Trump is more interested in "fighting against the reality than fighting the virus".
The federal government cannot ask people to restart their lives "if there isn't clear detailed guidance on how to do that safely", she adds.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Mike Pence can be keeping his distance from the president after his press secretary Katie Miller tested positive the other day.
"The vice-president has made the choice to keep his distance for a couple days," said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Some US states are starting to lift lockdown orders. Republican-run states such as for example Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska have moved first towards relaxing restrictions.
Tuesday's hearing was Dr Fauci's first appearance before lawmakers since President Donald Trump declared circumstances of national emergency in March.
The senior health adviser - who is among the most public face of the fight the virus in america - was blocked from testifying to a Democratic-led House committee examining the Trump administration's response to the pandemic on, may 6.
What's the situation like in america?
The United States alone has a lot more than 1.3 million confirmed cases, based on the Johns Hopkins University coronavirus tracker - almost six times as many as any other country.
President Trump claimed that the US had "prevailed" in testing persons for coronavirus infections in a news conference on Monday.
But around this week, the US has tested only 2.75% of its 330m population, and no state has tested 10% of residents.
In a separate development, White House staff have already been ordered to wear masks when entering the West Wing after two aides tested positive for coronavirus.
Mr Trump said he didn't have to follow the directive as he kept "far away from everyone".
