The United States may soon record as many as 100,000 new cases of Covid-19 a day if the current trajectory of the outbreak is not changed, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci, warned.

The number of new cases is currently hovering around 40,000 per day.

Fauci’s remarks, made during an appearance before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, came as the number of new cases in some Southern and Southwestern states has soared.

Some states that had moved to reopen businesses and activities quickly in response to frustration with lockdowns are finding themselves forced to dial back on some moves. California has closed bars in some counties, for instance, and New Jersey announced this week that it would not reopen indoor dining as planned.

“Clearly we are not in total control right now”, - Fauci told the committee, warning that far worse conditions are ahead without new efforts to tamp down spread.

“It is going to be very disturbing, I will guarantee you that. What was thought to be unimaginable turns out to be the reality we’re facing right now. Outbreaks happen and you have to deal with them in a very aggressive, proactive way”, - Fauci said.