GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Thousands of people are gathering across the country to spread a powerful message following George Floyd's death. According to health professionals however, this isn't the only thing they might be spreading.

Dr. Bruce Swords is the Chief Physician Executive at Cone Health, and he agrees this may be an issue.

“It’s really pretty easy for me to take a stance. People should stay away from each other, wear masks, wash their hands, and do all of those really important things we know decreases the risk of transmission of COVID," Swords says.

Large protests across the country could cause a catastrophic setback for controlling the novel coronavirus.

The CDC has said the virus spreads most easily in crowds and large gatherings. Medical professionals have also said a few contagious people can infect hundreds of people around them.

Swords says people need to mindful that the virus is still a risk.

“I think we have an opportunity as a community to treat each other well in regards to the coronavirus and so, if you’re young and healthy you have an obligation to stay away from each other so you don’t transmit the virus to older, perhaps people who are immuno-compromised," Swords explains.

Right now in the U.S. there are over 1.7 million cases of COVID-19 and over 100,000 deaths. Since Monday, there have been 696 new coronavirus deaths. After this weekend's large gatherings, doctors say we could see another spike in the next coming weeks.

“No matter what happens in our country, what the crisis is, doesn’t matter whether the seasons change or whether it’s vacation season or not, coronavirus is still part of our daily life," Swords says.