DONALD TRUMP has insisted a widespread coronavirus outbreak in the US is ‘not inevitable’ -despite health chiefs warning that more infections are coming.
He attempted to play down fears shortly before it emerged that a new case in California has been confirmed, bringing the total number in the US to 60.
At a White House news conference, the president insisted the country is ‘very, very ready’ for whatever may happen. ‘This will end,’ Mr Trump said of the outbreak. ‘You don’t want to see panic because there’s no reason to be panicked.’
In an attempt to fend off criticism, he put vice president Mike Pence in charge of the administration’s response.
But health officials — who Mr Trump had praised for fighting the virus — stressed that schools, businesses and individuals needed to get ready.
‘We do expect more cases,’ said Dr Anne Schuchat of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Worryingly, the new case is not thought to have had the usual risk factors of travel or contact with another patient.
If this is confirmed by the CDC, it would be a sign that efforts to contain the virus have not been enough.
‘It’s possible this could be an instance of community spread of Covid-19,’ the CDC said.
