(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — An uncomfortably high COVID-19 death toll might become America’s reality by the end of September.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention forecasted that between 200,000 to 211,000 Americans will die as the result of the virus by the end of the month.

Health officials are using the latest data to urge all to wear masks while out in public, to frequently wash their hands and to practice social distancing guidelines.  

Since the onset of the pandemic, CDC data pertaining to estimated death tolls has remained accurate.  On August 13, the agency predicted between 180,000 and 200,000 deaths by Labor Day Weekend.

As of early Thursday, nearly 187,000 Americans have died as result of the virus, which has sickened over six million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. 

In the race to find a vaccine, out of the 170 vaccine candidates the World Health Organization is tracking, six are currently in phase 3 trials.  

The CDC has told American officials to prepare for a COVID-19 vaccine by the start of November.