US return to 'normal' a long path ahead: BBC report

It's been a long winter for the United States, with hospitals seeing more coronavirus patients than at any point in the pandemic and the average number of daily deaths topping 3,000 for the first time, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reports on Saturday.

Experts say there's still a long path ahead before life in the US return to some form of normality over the next few months.

"It will be many more months before we see not necessarily a return to normalcy, but the emergence of a new normal," Dr Keri Althoff, a professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, told the London-based broadcaster.

"I'm hesitant to put a date on it because every time we figure something out with this virus, it seems to have another trick up its sleeve," said Dr Althoff.

"New normal" will see public health officials continuing to recommend social distancing and face masks while warning against any large social gatherings, inside or out, she added.

"Many people in the US are feeling exhausted by this virus. It's totally normal and we need to be empathetic towards that, but this virus is not going to just go away," said Dr Althoff.

"So we have to continue to protect ourselves and our families and our communities."