In perhaps the most anticipated Capitol event, Dr. Anthony Fauci, on Tuesday warned the Senate Health Committee of “really serious” consequences if states flout federal guidelines and reopen prematurely during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fauci, who holds the position of director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said the danger of new spikes of coronavirus cases from reopening is indeed real and very dangerous.

“My concern is that if some areas, city, states or what have you, jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently, my concern is that we will start to see little spikes that might turn into outbreaks,” Fauci said during his virtual testimony.

“The consequences could be really serious,” said Fauci, who has been self-isolating after coming in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case at the White House. 

He noted that this is also the case in states that are moving at an “appropriate pace” in reopening as well.

“Even under the best of circumstances, when you pull back on mitigation, you will see some cases appear. It’s the ability and the capability of responding to those cases with good identification, isolation and contact tracing will determine whether you can continue to go forward, as you try to reopen America.”

Fauci’s comments at the hearing, telecasted live by cable television networks, come as the White House has been pressing states to reopen their economies. 

Quite a few states have already reopened in some capacity, creating another political conflict as Republican governors tend to lift restrictions faster than states led by Democrats. Many states have begun reopening without a 14-day downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases or a decline in the percentage of positive tests, which are recommended in the administration’s guidelines for reopening.

“There is a real risk that you will trigger an outbreak,” Fauci said of ignoring those guidelines.

“You might not be able to control it, which in fact, paradoxically, will set you back, not only leading to some suffering and death [that] could be avoided, but could even set you back on the road to try to get economic recovery.”