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Trump: Coronavirus testing may be ‘overrated’ and reason for high U.S. case count

Trump’s comments about the quality and importance of testing have had an undertone of doubt in recent weeks, as the virus continues to spread and has made its way into the president’s inner circle. Katie Miller, the vice president’s top spokesperson, and Trump’s personal valet tested positive last week — heightening fears that the president could be exposed. Vice President Mike Pence has avoided contact with Trump since the announcement, and his schedule has been barren or limited since Miller’s diagnosis.

“This is why the whole concept of tests aren’t necessarily great,” the president said last week during a meeting with congressional Republicans at the White House, referring to Miller. “The tests are perfect, but something can happen between a test where it’s good and then something happens. … She was tested very recently and tested negative, and then today, I guess for some reason, she tested positive.”

Trump has long expressed concerns regarding U.S. case numbers, accusing other countries, like China, of not accurately reporting their numbers. And in early March, the president visited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, where he expressed concern that letting infected passengers of the Grand Princess cruise ship being held at the port of Oakland, Calif., would increase U.S. case numbers.

“I like the numbers being where they are,” Trump said at the time. “I don’t need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn’t our fault. And it wasn’t the fault of the people on the ship either, OK? It wasn’t their fault either, and they’re mostly Americans. So, I can live either way with it. I’d rather have them stay on, personally.”

Source: politico.com
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