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Health officials warn holiday COVID spike could further strain hospitals

WASHINGTON — Health officials are predicting a major spike in COVID-19 cases following Thanksgiving, adding a major strain to already over-run hospital systems.

The CDC is urging people not to travel or have large gatherings, but many may not listen.

READ: CDC pleads with Americans to avoid Thanksgiving travel

More than a million COVID-19 cases were reported in the United States in just the last week, according to the CDC.

With cases surging around the country, health officials are bracing for another potential spike as Americans prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.

“What we do this week will make a big difference in terms of what happens over the next few weeks,” former Acting Director of the CDC Dr. Richard Besser says.

READ: Florida reports more than 8,500 new COVID-19 cases, 73 virus-related deaths

Dr. Besser says he expects this to put a major strain on already over-run hospital systems.

“I am very concerned that people gathering this Thursday for Thanksgiving will lead to an increase in the number of people in the hospital in about two to three weeks,” Dr. Besser says.

The Biden-Harris transition team says it aims to work with state and local health officials to tackle the pandemic.

READ: Restaurant workers out of work again as virus surges anew

Dr. Besser says having the public hear more directly from the CDC on a daily basis can make a major difference in spreading the message.

When it comes to your holiday meal, the CDC says there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can directly spread through food handling or eating, but it is possible for the virus to spread from touching a surface, like a food packaging or a utensil.