Top Health Official on COVID-19 Crisis: Americans May Have to Stay Home for at Least Several Weeks

Government-imposed lockdowns have forced a growing number of Americans to stay inside their homes, as officials try to contain the coronavirus pandemic. While some lawmakers have simply encouraged its residents to practice social distancing, others have implemented stay-at-home orders that effectively restrict the public's movement.

As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, many are wondering when they'll be able to freely leave our homes and begin to return to their normal lives. According to a top U.S. health official, that's unlikely to happen any time soon.

"If you look at the trajectory of the curves of outbreaks and other areas, it’s at least going to be several weeks," Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the coronavirus task force, told Savannah Guthrie on Today. "I cannot see that all of a sudden, next week or two weeks from now it’s going to be over. I don’t think there’s a chance of that. I think it’s going to be several weeks."

Dr. Fauci, who is also the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, stressed the importance of these stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, as they could help the country "stay ahead of the curve."

Guthrie also asked Dr. Fauci if President Donald Trump should use the Defense Production Act to increase production on much-needed medical supplies.

"I think we should do everything we possibly can do," he said. "I mean, in all sectors, because obviously, as I've said so many times, when you think you're maybe overreacting, you probably are not acting as forcefully as you should.

According to data published by the New York Times, there were more than 17,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. as of Friday night.