USA needs on lockdown: Fauci

The United States does not need more widespread lockdowns to contain its COVID-19 outbreak, leading government expert Anthony Fauci said Thursday.

Speaking to media on Thursday, the physician-scientist said he was optimistic the world would soon have a vaccine that would end the pandemic.

Fauci stressed a localized approach as the country returns to normal -- including on the crucial question of when to reopen schools.

"Counties where there are certainly no cases at all, there's no problem with the schools opening," he said."There are other parts where there's a modest amount of infection (where) you may delay school openings."

The US leads the world in the number of confirmed infections and in deaths, with the fatality toll approaching 120,000.

But while former epicenters New York and New Jersey have controlled their outbreaks, the virus is now increasing in 20 states -- creating a plateau in the national case graph.

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