Trump talks with governors trying to battle virus

 

President Donald Trump went to the Federal Emergency Management Agency along with members of his coronavirus task force to hold a conference call with governors from around the country.

The state leaders took turns explaining what their states' urgent needs were including flexible block grants and medical supplies for their healthcare systems.

Deborah Birx, who is coordinating the White House response outlined where most of the confirmed cases of COVID-19 were.

Birx pointed out that 50 percent of the cases were in three states.

She also urged the states to prioritize their needs and report what supplies they had been able to stockpile. "If we can't see it, we don't know how to unlock the stockpile," said Birx.

"So this vote test negative and test positives are going to be absolutely essential as well as hospital admissions and CCU. That said that we understand exactly what is required from the federal government."

Vice President Pence urged the governors to go to their supply chains to find supplies before they turned to the federal government.

"We want to encourage every governor on this call to convene your leading health care providers today to to take inventory of your medical supply needs," said Pence.

"We urge you to remind them that they need to look to their supply chains first. We'll prioritize accordingly. And any states that are in the middle of critical response, know that we will work with you to get you what you need. Other states, you need to talk to your health care leaders, providers and make sure that they are going to the supply chain."

This comes as confirmed cases surged to over 11,000 on Thursday with at least 165 deaths.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus.

According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.