CDC Director Says ‘Now Is Not The Time’ To Lift Lockdowns Despite Decline In Coronavirus Cases And Deaths

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky said Monday that “now is not the time” to lift coronavirus restrictions, despite recent declines in cases and deaths.

“I remain deeply concerned about a potential shift in the trajectory of the pandemic,” Walensky said during a White House press briefing. “The latest CDC data continue to suggest that recent declines in cases have leveled off at a very high number.”

Walensky said that the most recent seven-day average for new coronavirus cases represents a 2% increase from the previous seven-day average, and the seven-day average for deaths also represents an increase of more than 2%.