Response coordinator for White House Coronavirus Task Force Deborah Birx speaks as US President Donald Trump listens during the daily briefing on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC on April 21, 2020. (AFP photo)

A senior Trump administration health official warns that social distancing measures will need to continue for the next few months in the United States despite many states planning to end lockdowns imposed over the coronavirus spread.

Speaking on Meet the Press on Sunday, the White House coronavirus task force response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that social distancing will be with us through the summer to really ensure that we protect one another.

Her remarks come after Vice President Mike Pence said the US will largely have this coronavirus epidemic behind us by Memorial Day on 25 May.

The deadly virus has so far affected more than 987,300 and killed over 55,400 people across the United States.

Experts have warned that there might be second and even third spikes in the number of cases and deaths later this year, noting that this could mean the US might see a second wave of the pandemic if social distancing practics end in some capacity.

Around 20 states plan to reopen businesses in some capacity next week.

In Colorado, for instance, Democratic Governor Jared Polis said, Our target is about 60 to 65 percent social distancing from the way people used to live, and how we can do that over a period of months in a psychologically sustainable way - and of course an economically sustainable way - that meets the health goals of the state.

Asked if she�s concerned about such plans, Birx said, I�ve had really, very good conversations with a series of governors, and they�ve really been very insightful of how they�re looking at this. They understand the risk, and they talk about this not as turning on a light switch but slowly turning up the dimmer.

Birx also touched upon disinfectant and UV light which President Donald Trump recently suggested can be viable treatments for coronavirus patients, saying, I also made it very clear, and so has Dr. Fauci and everyone associated with the task force, and the clarity around this is not a treatment.

SOURCE: PRESS TV