Fauci: US Likely Won’t Go Into Lockdown Over COVID-19 Delta Variant

Dr. Anthony Fauci pushes back on statements by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on July 20, 2021. J. Scott Applewhite/Pool/AP Photo

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chief Dr. Anthony Fauci on Aug. 1 signaled that the White House doesn’t want to reimplement COVID-19 lockdowns amid a surge in cases of the Delta variant, amid conflicting messaging from top administration officials in recent days.

There has been speculation that lockdowns and stay-at-home orders may be reimposed after President Joe Biden told reporters on July 30 that the United States “in all probability” will see more lockdowns. But a White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, said on the same day that U.S. officials don’t anticipate another lockdown on the horizon.