On Mar. 26, 2020, in a forecast based on recent data analyses, Institute for Health Metrics (IHME) researchers found demand for ventilators and beds in U.S. hospital intensive care units (ICUs) were projected to far exceed capacity for COVID-19 patients as early as the second week of April.

Deaths related to the current wave of COVID-19 in the U.S. were projected  to persist into July, even assuming people protect themselves and their communities by strongly adhering to social distancing measures and by taking other precautions advised by public health officials.