Fauci testifies on COVID-19 test shortages
Advisers acknowledge delays amid surging cases and deaths
Top coronavirus advisers Dr. Anthony Fauci, Dr. Robert Redfield and Adm. Brett Giroir testified Friday before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis on national coronavirus strategy. Here are highlights from the hearing:
The nation’s top U.S. COVID-19 advisers acknowledged to a key congressional committee delays and shortages in virus testing as the country grapples with surging cases and a rising death toll.
Giroir, who serves as lead adviser on testing for President Donald Trump’s administration, told lawmakers during an often-contentious hearing on Capitol Hill Friday that it was not possible to get all test results back within 48 to 72 hours because of “the demand and the supply” of tests.
“We cannot test our way out of this or any other pandemic,” he said in his opening statement before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis.
Trump has touted the number of tests being done despite reports of delays and shortages in hot spots, boasting of the country’s “massive testing capability” in a tweet posted as the hearing was taking place. Other key takeaways from Friday’s hearing:
i The lack of bipartisanship was evident throughout the hearing with Republicans and Democrats sniping at each other over the administration’s response to a pandemic that has already infected roughly 4.6 million Americans and killed more than 150,000. Republicans also went after Fauci, pressing him on cyber threats from China and trying to draw him out on the health risks posed by protests against police violence.
i Fauci, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, said he did not see China as a “threat” to the development of a coronavirus vaccine despite the recent federal charges against two Chinese hackers accused of stealing trade secrets and probing vulnerabilities of companies involved in coronavirus research.
i Redfield, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director, testified he was not involved in the White House decision to bypass the CDC and report coronavirus hospitalization data through the Department of Health and Human Services, and learned about it only after the decision was made.
i Fauci once again dismissed the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, which Trump has touted as useful for combating the disease. Fauci said he had not seen a single scientifically valid study that proved its efficacy.
i Trump slammed Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., the chairman of the committee, in a tweet during the hearing, saying the congressman “doesn’t have a clue. ” Clyburn had displayed charts comparing the rising caseloads in the U.S. versus Europe where far fewer cases are being reported.