"We are in the middle of a very strong wave," said Dr Fauci on ABC television, adding that the increase in cases, "almost vertical", was "unprecedented", with an average of almost 400,000 new contaminations per day.
Hospitalizations are also on the rise, but not at the same rate, he said.
Even if one should not "draw too hasty conclusions", hospitalizations being often later indicators, there is "more and more evidence" that the highly contagious Omicron variant leads to less severe forms, explained the eminent scientist, citing South African and English data.
According to him, with so many infections, the variant could still drive more people to the hospital, thus putting "pressure on the hospital system".
Anthony Fauci said he hoped the current wave would peak "after a few weeks" before reversing, as happened in South Africa.
On the eve of the start of the school year, the immunologist called on parents to "seriously consider having their children vaccinated", to encourage them to wear the mask and to test them.
"With all of this, the situation will be safe enough for the children to go back to school."
Miguel Cardona, US Minister of Education, told him the goal was to maintain "full-time face-to-face learning" as students "suffered enough", with many counties keeping schools closed for more than 'a year.
"We are aware that there may be difficulties" for this return, in particular because of the absences of staff contaminated by Covid-19, he admitted, during an interview on Fox News.
According to the minister, schools should develop "a testing strategy, so that students who have symptoms can be tested at school."
© 2022 AFP