US, China battling virus: Trump
Prez says admin will take necessary steps to safeguard its citizens from the threat
● The toll in China’s coronavirus outbreak rose to 490 on Tuesday while the total number of confirmed cases mounted to 24,324.
● China’s National Health Commission said 65 deaths were reported on Tuesday, all from Hubei province and its capital Wuhan.
● Also 3,887 new confirmed cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported on Tuesday, it said.
● On Tuesday, 431 patients became seriously ill, while 262 were discharged from hospital after recovery.
● The health commission added that 3,219 patients remained in severe condition and 23,260 people were suspected of being infected with the virus
Washington, Feb. 5: The US is working closely with Beijing to combat the coronavirus outbreak, President Donald Trump said, prompting the World Health Organisation to declare a global health emergency.
“Protecting Americans’ health also means fighting infectious diseases,” Trump said in his State of the Union speech late on Tuesday night while highlighting the initiatives taken by his administration in the healthcare sector.
“We are coordinating with the Chinese government and working closely together on the coronavirus outbreak in China. My administration will take all necessary steps to safeguard our citizens from this threat,” he said.
Worldwide, the virus, so far, has spread to Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Macau, India, Philippines, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, United States, Canada, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Russia, Finland, Spain, the UAE and Sweden. “As we pray for all who are sick, we know that America is constantly achieving new medical breakthroughs,” Trump said in his speech.
The president underlined that his administration has launched ambitious new initiatives to substantially improve care for Americans with kidney disease, Alzheimer’s, and those struggling with mental health challenges.
Trump said a good life for American families also requires the most affordable, innovative and highquality healthcare system.
“Before I took office, health insurance premiums had more than doubled in just five years. I moved quickly to provide affordable alternatives. Our new plans are up to 60 per cent less expensive.
“I have also made an ironclad pledge to American families: We will always protect patients with preexisting conditions — that is a guarantee,” he said. The president said his administration will always protect the Medicare and the Social Security schemes.
Asserting that his administration will never let socialism “destroy” US healthcare, he said, “As we work to improve Americans’ healthcare, there are those who want to take away your healthcare, take away your doctor, and abolish private insurance entirely.” “One hundred thirty-two lawmakers in this room have endorsed legislation to impose a socialist takeover of our healthcare system, wiping out the private health insurance plans of 180 million Americans,” he added.