WATCH: Fauci Cautiously Offers Hope: Rate Of Increase Seems To Be Dropping Off

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN on Tuesday that the rate of increase in COVID-19 cases seem to be slowing down, crediting  “social distancing” measures.

“We’re starting to see glimmers that that is actually having some dampening effect,” Dr. Fauci told CNN reporter Jim Sciuto. 

“What we’re starting to see right now is just the inklings. And I don’t want to put too much stock on it, because you don’t want to get overconfident, you just want to keep pushing in what you’re doing,” the leading infections diseases expert continued.

“You’re starting to see that the daily increases are not in that steep incline,” he posited, “they’re starting to be able to possibly flatten out.”

On Sunday, President Donald Trump announced he would extend the “15 Days to Slow the Spread” guidance for the nation until April 30.

“I want the American people to know that your selfless inspiring and valiant efforts are saving countless lives,” Trump said. “You are making the difference. The modeling estimates that the peak in death rate is likely to hit in two weeks, so I will say it again, the peak, highest point of death rates, remember this, is likely to hit in two weeks.”

“Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before the victory is won,” the president continued. “That would be the greatest loss of all. Therefore, the next two weeks and during this period, it’s very important that everyone strongly follow the guidelines, have to follow the guidelines that our great vice president holds up a lot. He’s holding that up a lot. He believes in it so strongly.”

“The better you do, the faster this whole nightmare will end,” POTUS told the nation. “Therefore, we will be extending our guidelines to April 30th, to slow the spread. On Tuesday, we will be finalizing these plans and providing a summary of our findings, supporting data and strategy to the American people, so we’ll be having lots of meetings in between, but we’ll be having a very important statement made on Tuesday, probably Tuesday evening, on all of the findings, all of the data, and the reasons we’re doing things the way we’re doing them.”

Trump predicted that the U.S. will be “well on our way to recovery” by June 1.

“We think by June 1^st a lot of great things will be happening,” the president encouraged the nation. “I want every citizen in our country to take heart and confidence in the fact that we have the best medical minds in the world, tackling this disease. We have the best scientists, the best researchers, the best talent, anywhere, working night and day to protect your family and loved ones and to overcome this pandemic. With the grace of god, we’re rising to the occasion. We are proving that no darkness can overshadow the eternal light with American courage. We will win, and when we do, we will rebound with astonishing force and speed.”

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