What we mean by a 'second peak' of coronavirus - CNN

While we're still living through the first wave of the pandemic, and cases are still rising, infections could jump up suddenly and significantly "at any time."

"We may get a second peak in this way," said Dr.

A new peak would mean a sudden spike in cases, which could overburden health care systems again and possibly cause a greater number of deaths.

Whether we see that rapid rise in cases in the fall depends on what we do now.

What a second peak could look like

In a second peak scenario, coronavirus cases would spike sharply and quickly until they reach a new high, likely after a period when the rate of infection remained fairly stable.

But in both a second peak scenario and one in which we "flatten the curve," the same number of people could be infected.

A second peak would mean that many more people are infected with coronavirus at the same time, and during flu season, which would overburden health care systems.

And when hospitals and health care workers are overwhelmed, there's a higher likelihood for preventable deaths, said Dr.

"The only real reason to try and dampen these peaks are to prevent preventable deaths, so that the health care system can take care of everyone who needs it and give them the best possible chance at a healthy outcome," Kelen, who specializes in emerging infections, told CNN.

That's why so much has been made about flattening the curve.

In the US, where more than 1,680,000 people have been infected and nearly 100,000 have died, the death rate is closer to 5.9%.

"From a healthcare point of view, flu season is usually a very difficult time because there are so many sick people," Kelen said.

Businesses probably won't close again like they did in March and April, Kelen said, so with more people out, the rate of infection could jump.

Why it's inevitable -- and what we can do to dampen it

Like Kelen said, until there's a vaccine, the same number of people will be infected no matter what if people stop staying home.