The US does not have enough coronavirus test kits to meet the anticipated demand, Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday, a day after providing a more upbeat assessment of the testing situation.
“For those who we believe have been exposed, for those who are showing symptoms, we’ve been able to provide the testing,” he said at a 3M plant in Minnesota, which manufactures the N95 respirator, a face mask used as personal protective equipment against airborne particles, including bacteria and viruses.
“We don’t have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate the demand going forward,” he continued.
“But as more Americans take an interest in this or have concerns about this, we want to make sure they have access to a coronavirus test as well, and we’ve made real progress on that in the last several days.”
Pence also alluded to the cruise ship Grand Princess, which was being held off the coast of California until all on board were tested.
“We’re focused very much on a cruise ship just off the California coast today. The Coast Guard delivered a sufficient number of tests for the passengers on that ship,” he added.
During a meeting Wednesday with diagnostic laboratory CEOs, the veep talked about how many test kits were available but did not mention that there was a shortage.
“We have more than 2,500 kits that are being distributed around the country this week that will make more than 1.5 million tests available at hospitals that have requested them, and in areas of the country that have been particularly impacted by the coronavirus,” Pence said then.
The vice president told reporters at the White House Tuesday that a doctor’s order was all that was needed for any American to be tested for the coronavirus.
“We’re issuing new guidance, effective immediately, from the CDC that will make it clear that any clinician or health authority can administer the test,” he said.
Pence was next scheduled to head to Washington state to speak with officials there about the coronavirus, which has hit the Seattle area hard.
With Post wires
Map of US coronavirus cases
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