Coronavirus Testing Labs Across The Country Will Open This Week, According To Trump Press Conference
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 15: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the press briefing room at the White House on March 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. The United States has surpassed 3,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and the death toll climbed to at least 61, with 25 of the deaths associated with the Life Care Center in Kirkland, Washington.
During a press conference at the White House today (March 15), the Trump administration said that starting this week, labs across the country will be able to process coronavirus screenings of up to 4,000 people a day, according to NPR.
"We are going from somewhat manual, relatively slow phases to a testing regiment that we can test many tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of individuals per week and maybe even more," said Adm. Brett Giroir, who is leading the Department of Health and Human Services' efforts in coordinating coronavirus testing.
During the press conference, it was announced that two million tests will be available this week and more than 10 states now have drive-through testing sites. Reach out to your state health department websites for information on being tested in your area. NBC News also has a state-state guide.
Health care workers, first responders and people over the age of 65 who are showing symptoms of the virus will be prioritized.
At the press conference, President Trump complimented the Federal Reserve, who announced on Sunday (March 15) that they would drop interest rates, returning them to a range of 0 to 0.25 percent, according to the New York Times. President Trump said, "It makes me very happy."
President Trump also said that "there's no need to hoard" supplies, amid concerns of potential food or supply shortages as more states and cities announced restrictions to contain the coronavirus. He said that after speaking with heads of food suppliers, “You don’t have to buy so much, take it easy, just relax. We’re doing great, it all will pass.”
Vice President Mike Pence urged Americans to only buy the groceries they need for the week ahead. "American families can be confident your local grocery store is going to be open. It'll be re-supplied," Pence said.
