(Live video embedded at end of article) President Trump announced he will hold a press conference on the coronavirus at 1:30 p.m. EST Saturday. The press conference comes after Washington state announced the first U.S. coronavirus death Saturday morning and after the media and Democrats falsely accused Trump of saying the coronavirus is a hoax at a campaign rally in South Carolina Friday night.
“I will be having a 1:30 P.M. Press Conference at the White House to discuss the latest CoronaVirus developments. Thank you!”
I will be having a 1:30 P.M. Press Conference at the White House to discuss the latest CoronaVirus developments. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 29, 2020
Vice President Mike Pence held a meeting of the coronavirus task force Saturday morning.
Trump's coronavirus task force, "led" by @VP Mike Pence but "chaired" by HHS Secretary Alex Azar, met at 10 a.m. here at the White House, per Pence's schedule.
— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) February 29, 2020
President Trump said the victim in Washington was a woman in her 50s who a ‘high risk’ patient.
Vice President Pence announced a total travel ban on Iran and travelers who have been in Iran within the past 14 days. Also the State Department is raising the travel advisory to Level 4 advising against traveling to regions in Italy and South Korea affected by the coronavirus.
Washington state Governor Jay Inslee statement on the coronavirus death:
“It is a sad day in our state as we learn that a Washingtonian has died from COVID-19. Our hearts go out to their family and friends. We will continue to work toward a day where no one dies from this virus.
“In partnership with the Washington State Department of Health, the Washington State Department of Emergency Management and local and community health partners, we are strengthening our preparedness and response efforts. I am committed to keeping Washingtonians healthy, safe and informed.”
The Washington Department of Health will hold a press conference at 1 p.m. PST Saturday.
The Washington State Department of Health confirms the first U.S. death from COVID-19 has occurred here in the state of Washington. We will share more information at a media briefing today at 1pm. Information to watch via livestream will be shared here. #COVID19
— Washington State Department of Health (@WADeptHealth) February 29, 2020
On Friday the department announced two new cases in the state.
As of Saturday afternoon there are a reported 66 novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. with one death and nine recovered. Most of the cases involve evacuees brought in from overseas. A handful of cases were caught in the U.S., raising concerns of possible outbreaks.
Live feed:
