US Must Prepare for Thousands of COVID-19 Cases in Coming Weeks, Experts Warn

This undated handout photo from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a microscopic view of the Coronavirus at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the CDC the virus that causes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) might be a "previously unrecognized virus from the Coronavirus family." CDC/Getty Images

Leading health experts warned on Feb. 12 that the United States could see thousands of cases of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19, and a significant surge in the spread of the virus in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Asha George, executive director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, said that the United States should be preparing ahead for cases of coronavirus in the thousands.