Multiple experts say up to 70% of Americans could be infected with the coronavirus and 1 million could die if no treatment is found — so people over 60 should 'stay home unless it's critical' The new coronavirus has killed 41 Americans and infected another 1,700. A panel of experts at the University of California, San Francisco predicted that between 40% and 70% of Americans could become infected within the next 18 months, one internist attending the panel reported. Assuming a 1% mortality rate from the coronavirus, and 50% of the US population becoming infected, that means about 1.5 million Americans could die — that's if no drug is found effective and made available. Accordingly, the panelists suggested "anyone over 60 stay at home unless it's critical." In February, disease modelers from the CDC suggested between 160 million and 214 million Americans could be infected, and as many as 1.7 million could die. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . The US is in the throes of the coronavirus outbreak. Since February 29, 41 Americans have died . The virus has spread to 1,700 across 47 states and Washington, DC; more than half of US states have declared a state of emergency .