THREAD: On today's VP call with governors, Dr. Deborah Birx sounded the alarm with some dire warnings for states that are in the task force-defined “yellow zone” for cases and test positivity, which, she said, are different from outbreaks across the country earlier this year.

The task force defines “red zone” states as more than 100 cases per 100,000 people and more than 10% test positivity. Birx said there has been “significant improvement” in red zone states FL, CA, TX, AZ following orders to close bars, decreasing indoor dining, + requiring masks.

But, Birx said, there are still rising cases and test positivity in other red zone states: Mississippi, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, Oklahoma, Georgia, Idaho, and Arkansas.

The task force defines “yellow zone” states as having between 10 and 100 cases per 100,000 and 5-10% test positivity.

Yellow zone states, Birx said, have had a similar profile to red zone states: “starting with the 20 to 30 year olds presenting as a first wave.”

“Remember, the majority of those are asymptomatic so if you expect to see hospitalizations, by the time you see hospitalization your community spread is so widespread that you’ve flipped into a red state incredibly quickly,” Birx said.

Birx said task force is working with governors + mayors in the following places: Colorado, DC, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minneapolis, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. She expressed concerned re: Chicago, Philly, CA's Central Valley.

These places, Birx said, need to increase mitigation efforts, "because if we wait until increased hospitalizations it is really way too late. Because what we are experiencing now is really different than March and April, it’s very different from the outbreaks of May."

Birx: "This widespread community spread in the younger age group both rural and very urban and urban areas so by the time you see it, up to 80-90% of your counties already have more than 10% (test positivity rate).”

Pence said they do not want another closure - something, he said, “We don’t ever want to see again." He pointed to studies that show masks, bar closures, limiting outdoor dining, limiting social gatherings are having similar outcomes in slowing the spread as sheltering in place.

Pence recommended governors in yellow zone states “take a hard look” at those four measures “whether it be on a county-by-county basis or a statewide basis.” “We’ll support your decision, but I think your big message to these states that may be emerging is don’t wait,” he said.