On Friday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on COVID-19 appeared on the “Start Here” podcast with Brad Mielke. Dr. Fauci spoke about the possibility of increasing cases of COVID-19 across the nation after the emergence of the BA.2 variant. He also hinted at retirement plans which would be put in place when the pandemic ends.

Dr. Fauci has been at the forefront of the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He told host Mielke that he would not be surprised if they see a “flattening of our diminution or maybe even an increase” in the number of cases due to the prevalence of the BA.2 variant.

The learned doctor said that he made the above prediction after having conversations with colleagues in the United Kingdom. The U.K., which has much higher vaccinated people when compared with America, has seen a slight spike in cases.

Dr. Fauci also hinted about retirement plans. He told the popular ABC News podcast host that he would continue to do what he was doing “until we can get out of the pandemic phase and I think we might be there already, if we can stay in this.”

He also said that he “can’t stay at this job forever.” He said that he did not want his staff to find him slumped over the desk, some day.

ABC News clarified that Dr. Anthony Fauci has no immediate plans to retire. However, the outlet had also mentioned that the White House has hired a new White House coronavirus coordinator. Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University School of Public Health. He will replace Jeff Zients, who is stepping down from the position next month.

Dr. Fauci has served the nation as a public health expert for more than 50 years. He is the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. He has been sharing his expertise through the administrations of seven presidents. He has faced strong opposition from Republicans mainly Sen. Rand Paul, with whom he has had a few arguments.

Dr. Fauci told ABC News, “When I do decide I’m going to step down, whenever that is, I am going to have to figure out what it is I am going to do.” He added, “I’d love to spend more time with my wife and family. That would really be good.”