HHS Sec: We’ve Seen No Spikes In Reopened Areas

Reuters reports:

Authorities are not seeing spikes in coronavirus cases in places that are reopening but are seeing increases in some areas that remain closed, U.S. health secretary Alex Azar said on Sunday.

“We are seeing that in places that are opening; we’re not seeing this spike in cases,” Azar said on CNN’s “State of the Union” program. “We still see spikes in some areas that are in fact close to very localized situations.”

“These are very localized determinations. There should not be a one size fits all to reopening but reopen we must because it’s not health versus the economy. It’s health versus healthy,” he said, adding there were serious health consequences to not reopening.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar says that the high number coronavirus mortalities in the United States is due to “greater risk profiles,” in certain communities and says the American response to the virus has been “historic” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/WgywaH8NE5

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 17, 2020

“In any individual instance you’re going to see people doing things that are irresponsible, that’s part of the freedom we have here in America.” HHS Secretary Alex Azar reacts to some Americans not following federal guidance to wear a mask and social distance #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/JtHU1SkPg9

— State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 17, 2020

HHS Secretary Alex Azar on the reopening of bars and restaurants in parts of the country: “These are very localized determinations. There should not be one size fits all approaches to reopening. But reopen we must” #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/lnL4ChMCfA

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 17, 2020