WATCH: Sen. Bernie Sanders asks Dr. Fauci about COVID-19 cases and possibility of rebound

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on Tuesday asked National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci about the fatality rate of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in the U.S., as well as the possibility it may rebound in the fall. While Sen. Sanders said the official statistic of Americans who have died from COVID-19 is around 80,000, Dr. Fauci acknowledged that “Most of us feel that the number of deaths are likely higher than that number.” He noted that in some cases, people may have died in their homes and were not counted as COVID-19 cases.

“Are we fearful that the situation could become worse in fall or winter?” Sanders then asked Fauci, referring to the trajectory of the 1918 influenza pandemic. Fauci said that it’s “entirely conceivable” that a rebound of the virus will occur, but said he hopes that the U.S. will have better control over the virus at that point, thanks to testing capabilities, PPE supplies, and work by the CDC to isolate and contact trace cases.

Leading U.S. health officials on Tuesday appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to answer questions about safely reopening schools and workplaces. In addition to Dr. Fauci, Centers on Disease Control and Prevention Direct Robert Redfield, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn and Assistant Secretary of Health and Human Services for Health Adm. Brett Giroir also spoke before the committee.

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