CDC director warns of potential COVID-19 surge, 'impending doom'

The director for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention warned Monday of "impending doom" over a future surge in COVID-19 cases.

Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters at a White House press conference that the next surge could be big, and she urged Americans to "just hold on a little longer," according to CNBC.

"I'm going to pause here, I'm going to lose the script, and I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom," Walensky also said. "We have so much to look forward to, so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope, but right now I’m scared."

Walensky said that there was a 10% increase in Covid-19 cases over the past week, with 60,000 cases per day, according to The Hill.

Walensky's speech comes as health experts warn of a new strain of COVID-19, one that they say is more infectious, more contagious, and possible more deadly, according to CNBC.

She also spoke as some Americans appear to be relaxing on health-safe precautions amid declining virus numbers and as they travel during spring breaks.

Walensky's comments also follow White House Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anthony Fauci saying Sunday attributing at least some of the recent increase in COVID-19 infections on a few state's lifting mask mandates and other restrictions.