President Donald Trump said the the country has “passed the peak” of the coronavirus outbreak in US.
“While we must remain vigilant, it is clear that our aggressive strategy is working,” said Trump during a White House briefing on Wednesday. “The battle continues, but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases.”
Standing alongside the coronavirus task force, Trump said new cases are “declining” in New York, which has more confirmed cases of COVID-19 than any country outside the US. He pointed out that cases remain “flat” in Denver and Detroit, while other cities like Baltimore and Philadelphia “are showing great signs of success.”
Records show there are more than 632,000 people infected with the coronavirus in America.
“Some states are looking at other states and they’re saying I can’t imagine what they’re going through because they’re not in that position. They’re in very good shape,” Trump said.
“I would say that we have 20 states, at least, but you really have 29 that are in extremely good shape. You have others that are getting much better.”
Moreover, Trump announced that the guidelines for reopening the country will be discussed on Thursday. The governors of seven states on the East Coast and three states on the West Coast announced a coordination of regional working groups for the reopening of the regions.
“My administration is using every available authority to accelerate the development, study and delivery of therapies,” Trump noted, adding that at least 35 clinical trials of treatments are waiting for results.
According to Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, the rate of new cases of coronavirus in US has declined the past six days. She added that nine states recorded less than 1,000 cases each and saw fewer than 30 new cases per day.
However, she highlighted the administration's concern about Providence, Rhode Island, which is in a “unique situation,” sandwiched between New York and Boston.
She emphasized the importance of practicing social distancing.
“Social gatherings, coming together, there is always a chance that an asymptomatic person can spread the virus unknowingly,” she said.
“To all of you that are out there that would like to join together and just have that dinner party for 20, don’t do it yet. Continue to follow the presidential guidelines.”
Vice President Mike Pence said that more than 3.3 million tests have been "conducted and completed."
He added that 24% of all counties in the US have not filed a single case of Covid-19. Meanwhile, half of all states in the country recorded fewer than 2,500 cases each.
“We’re going to reflect on the fact that, as the president said, there will be areas of the country that will require continued mitigation and strong efforts and there will be other areas of the country that will be given guidance for greater flexibility, the president has so directed our team,” Pence said.
New York City
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Wednesday that the city might be undercounting the fatalities of COVID-19 as the city grapples with mass testing.
“I want the whole truth out. Wherever the facts take us, I want the whole truth out,” de Blasio said Wednesday at a news briefing. “Absolutely, I believe there are more people who died because of Covid-19, in one way or another, because of something that happened to them related to Covid-19.”
