Vice President Mike Pence has admitted the United States could see more deaths from the coronavirus. He was speaking on CNN’s State of the Union. He has been put in charge of administration efforts to protect Americans from the deadly virus. Pence insisted the risk to most people was still low. He first confirmed death from the virus in the United States. A man in his 50s who had underlying health problems succumbed to the illness in Washington State. There are at least 2 other cases have been confirmed and 50 people in an elderly care home who are suffering from respiratory illness are being monitored. It is noteworthy that the assessment from Pence was appeared to reflect a new sense of seriousness from the administration.
Donald Trump referred to the crisis as a hoax, at a political rally on Friday. He insisted at a White House news conference the following day that he was referring to alleged efforts by the Democrats to talk up the risk in order to discredit him. The head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci informed reporters that he wasn’t being muzzled following reports that the vice-president was controlling the flow of information to the public. Pence said, “It is possible. The reality that Fauci and others explained to me since I took on these duties a few days ago is that for most people who contract the coronavirus, is that they will recover. They will deal with a respiratory illness, we will get them treatment”.
Pence added, “But the American people should know that the risk to the average American remains low”. He also announced a series of travel restrictions designed to contain the spread of the virus in the United States. These restrictions include stronger advice not to travel to parts of Italy and South Korea, and a ban on entry to the U.S to anyone who has visited Iran in the previous 14 days. Trump tweeted on Sunday morning and said, “Coronavirus, in addition to screening travelers prior to boarding from certain designated high risk countries, or areas within those countries, they will also be screened when they arrive in America”. The Centers for Disease Control said 15 people have tested positive for coronavirus after being tested in the United States. 44 Americans were on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship and were repatriated have had the coronavirus.