Dr. Anthony Fauci was joined by CDC director Dr. Robert Redfield and DHHS testing czar Adm. Dr. Brett Giroir today as the trio testified before congressional lawmakers - updating leaders and officials on the coronavirus pandemic.
According to Dr. Fauci, some 250,000 people have signed up via a government website to voluntarily take part in COVID-19 vaccine testing. He says he thinks a vaccine could be approved sometime in 2021.
"I believe, ultimately, over a period of time in 2021, that Americans will be able to get it," he said.
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However, Dr. Giroir acknowledged the coronavirus testing delays.
About 75% are returned within 5 days, but the rest are taking much longer... And many experts say results not back within two to three days are pretty much worthless as the contact tracing window has closed.
Fauci also doubled-down on his call for universal mask-wearing and social distancing - echoed by Giroir and Redfield.
"I think it's very important to make sure that we all spread the public health message that we can control all the outbreaks occurring right now," Giroir told reporters on Thursday.
Read more on ABC 7.