Nation New forecast: 180,000 U.S. deaths of COVID-19 by October. But mask order can save 33,000 June 25, 2020 Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY Comments Off on New forecast: 180,000 U.S. deaths of COVID-19 by October. But mask order can save 33,000 The projection comes as more than 36,000 new infections were reported by state health departments Wednesday.