US experts urge shut down as Covid-19 deaths surge

Experts have urged to shut down the country as over 1,000 people died every day for four straight days last week due to Covid-19 in the United States. 

That brings the total US death toll from the virus to more than 146,000 as of Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, reports CNN.

And researchers project up to 175,000 deaths linked to the virus by August 15, according to an ensemble forecast published by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With overwhelmed hospitals and lengthy delays in testing, some local leaders -- including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti -- said a second stay-at-home order might be possible.

That kind of drastic measure is supported by more than 150 prominent medical experts, scientists, teachers, nurses and other experts who signed a letter urging leaders to shut the country down and start over to contain the rampant spread of the virus.

"Right now, we are on a path to lose more than 200,000 American lives by November 1st. Yet, in many states people can drink in bars, get a haircut, eat inside a restaurant, get a tattoo, get a massage, and do myriad other normal, pleasant, but non-essential activities," read the letter, which was sent to the Trump administration, members of Congress and state governors.