'Too soon' to tell if Americans can gather safely for holidays, Fauci says

"It's just too soon to tell" if Americans will be able to safely gather in larger groups during the fast-approaching holiday season as the coronavirus, buoyed by the Delta variant, continues, Dr. Anthony Fauci told CBS News' Margaret Brennan on Sunday's edition of Face the Nation.

Fauci thinks if the country stays "laser focused" on getting COVID-19 cases down that it may be possible, adding that increasing the number of vaccinations and booster shots (where applicable) could go a long way toward achieving that goal.

The comments come on the heels of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention releasing its latest recommendations for celebrating the holidays. The agency also doesn't sound particularly confident about the next few months, making it clear that it's still preferable people gather outdoors or virtually, regardless of vaccination status (although the guidance also includes suggestions for people who plan to go ahead.)

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Fauci did provide a little more optimism on Sunday, though, telling ABC News' Jon Karl that "we are certainly turning the corner on this particular" surge of infections, which are declining across the United States.