Donald Trump: U.S. has tested 1 million people for coronavirus
The U.S. on Monday hit more than 1 million coronavirus tests, a “historic milestone in our war against” the virus, President Trump said at the White House.
“More than any other country by far, not even close,” Trump said during a press conference from the Rose Garden.
The U.S. has more confirmed cases than any other country — more than 160,000 cases by Monday afternoon. Nearly 3,000 people have died.
With a population of over 330 million, 1 million patients tested would represent about one-third of one percent of all Americans. By comparison, South Korea has tested roughly twice as many people as a percentage of its population.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar called it an “unprecedented testing effort” in the U.S. The country is testing nearly 100,000 samples each day, he said.
“I want to thank those state and local leaders who have used their on-the-ground resources and knowledge to lead testing, and make it much more easily accessible for the Americans who need it,” Azar said.
A quick, point-of-care test from Abbott Laboratories will soon be rolled out. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn called it “highly accurate” and a patient-centered approach.
“Just like tests for flu and strep … you can get an answer within minutes of having this test done,” Hahn said.
Trump called the new test “incredible.”
“When you talk about 5 minutes, 15 minutes and highly accurate, and not nearly as disturbing to do as the other test,” the president said.
In Massachusetts, there have been 42,793 coronavirus tests completed as of Monday. A total of 5,752 people have tested positive.
State Rep. Jon Santiago, who’s an ER doctor at Boston Medical Center, said the testing numbers in the Bay State have been “fantastic.”
“This week we really have to focus on contact tracing,” he said in a Twitter video, noting the importance of finding the person with the virus, touching base with their contacts to quarantine them, and then doing the same thing with the contacts’ contacts.
Boston Medical Center has transitioned to tests that come back in 24 to 48 hours, compared to the previous test that took up to seven days. Santiago called that a “big improvement.”
“We’re still in the calm before the storm,” Santiago said. “Things are going to pick up these next two weeks significantly, so hang in there. Hunker down like the rest of us.”
Herald wire services were used in this report.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2UsCTSf
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