Trump declares national emergency over coronavirus, says next 8 weeks crucial

US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on
Friday, opening up access to up to $50 billion in federal funds to combat the
fast-spreading novel coronavirus that has claimed 41 lives in the country.

The deadly virus, which has killed over 5,000 people
globally, has spread to 46 of the 50 US states, with nearly 2,000 cases being
reported from across the country.

“It could get worse. The next eight weeks are
critical,” Trump told a press conference at the Rose Garden in the White
House.

“To unleash the full power of the federal government,
today I’m officially declaring a national emergency,” he announced and
said that the action will open up access to up to $50 billion in the fight
against coronavirus.

The deadly virus, which originated in the Chinese city of
Wuhan in December last year, has infected more than 134,000 people globally.

The US president has asked every state to set up emergency
operation centres immediately. All hospitals have been directed to activate
their emergency preparedness plan, so that they can meet the needs of citizens,
Trump said.

The emergency orders confer broad new authority to the
secretary of health and human services and gives doctors, hospitals and health
care providers maximum flexibility to respond to the virus and care for
patients.

The president said that “we want to make sure that
those who need a test can get a test very safely, quickly and
conveniently”.

Using federal emergency authorities, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has approved a new test for the virus, Trump said, adding
that he expects that up to half a million additional tests will be available
early next week.

The administration, he said, has been in discussions with
pharmacies and retailers to make drive-through tests available in critical
locations identified by public health professionals.