White House Task Force: Over 2 million Americans have been tested for COVID-19
President Donald Trump called the testing operation in the U.S. “by far the most sophisticated and the best anywhere.”
News 12 Staff
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Apr 9, 2020, 8:31 PM
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Updated 1,476 days ago
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(Briefing begins at 1:39:56)
The White House Coronavirus Task Force announced at its daily briefing Thursday that more than 2 million Americans have been tested for COVID-19 and more than 100,000 are being tested each day.
President Donald Trump called the testing operation in the U.S. “by far the most sophisticated and the best anywhere.”
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He also lauded Pfizer, who revealed that it found a promising new treatment that might prevent the virus from “replicating.” He says that 19 COVID-19 therapies are being tested and 26 others are in the active planning phase for clinical trials.
Dr. Deborah Birx provided a testing breakdown by gender. She says 56% of those tested have been female, with 16% positives. Of the 44% of males tested, 23% have been positive. She says that follows traditional models where men typically won’t see a doctor until illness symptoms worsen.
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"To all of the men out there, no matter what age group, if you have symptoms, you should be tested," she said.
President Trump also said that a new Federal Reserve effort to provide $2.3 trillion in support of midsize businesses and local and state governments will help those who have lost their jobs due to the outbreak.
More notes on the news conference are below:
- President Trump says a stimulus package that is coming soon will be very good for the airline industry.
- President Trump says he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and King Salman of Saudi Arabia about falling oil prices.
- Trump lauds work of Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.
- Trump: "Our testing operation is by far the most sophisticated and the best anywhere."
- On flattening the curve: "We are at the top of the hill and going downward. In some cases, we have already started that process."
- "Pfizer revealed today that it's found a promising new treatment that might prevent the virus from replicating." It hopes to start testing soon.
- President Trump says 19 therapies are being tested and 26 more are in the active planning phase for clinical trials.
- "To provide further economic relief, the Federal Reserve said it would provide up to $2.3 trillion in support to businesses, states and local governments.
- On the economy: "$600 billion in loans will be available for mid-sized businesses with up to 10,000 employees and $500 billion will be available for states and counties with over 2 million residents and cities with a population over 1 million."
- "The Department of Education is also announcing the availability of over $6 billion in emergency grant funding to assist college students impacted by the cancellation of classes and the suspension of housing."
- President Donald Trump says Americans are encouraged to learn that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is no longer in intensive care as he battles the coronavirus. Trump said “that’s a tremendous statement, and we continue to pray for him and his fast recovery. That’s a very, very positive development.”
- More than 2 million people in the US have been tested for COVID-19. More than 100,000 people are being tested daily, according to VP Mike Pence.
- VP Pence: Anyone seeking financial support information can visit treasury.gov or sba.gov.
- President Trump has approved 54 major disaster declarations around the country, according to FEMA.
- Department of Defense reports that 4,100 active duty military medical personnel have been deployed in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
- VP Pence says task force is considering cloth gowns for health care workers that can be recycled.
- Dr. Deborah Birx provided a testing breakdown by gender. She says 56% of those tested have been female, with 16% positives. Of the 44% of males tested, 23% have been positive. "To all of the men out there, no matter what age group, if you have symptoms, you should be tested."
- Department of Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia says retaliation against workers who complain about not having enough protective equipment "will not be tolerated."
- Scalia pushes Paycheck Protection Program to keep Americans on payrolls.
