Trump asked for slower coronavirus testing because ’more cases’ were being found

21 June 2020 02:19 pm - 20 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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US President Donald Trump says he asked officials to conduct fewer coronavirus tests to reduce the number of confirmed cases in the US.

The President made the staggering statement at a re-election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Saturday night.

Addressing thousands of cheering supporters, he called testing a "double-edged sword" that leads to more cases being discovered.

In his speech, he blamed the country's soaring number of Covid-19 cases on the fact 25 million people have been tested for the virus.

"When you do testing to that extent, you're gonna find more people you're gonna find more cases. So I said to my people slow the testing down, please," he said.

Health experts say expanded testing accounts for some, but not all, of the growth in cases in the US.

Testing is also widely seen as a crucial tool in bringing Covid-19 until control, identifying infected people so they and their contacts can isolate from others.

A White House official has since said Trump was joking.

"He was obviously kidding. We are leading the world in testing and have conducted 25 million plus," they said.

The US President's first re-election speech since March drew a crowd of around 10,000 people.

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Comments - 20

Jaffna Born Sunday, 21 June 2020 02:51 PM

Trump is unfortunately a white nationalist but surprisingly in lot of ways he talks and behaves like us, the South Asians. The characteristics of the whites are “Splitting Hair In Minor Issues With Obsessive Over Analysis, But Missing Out On Major Ones “. Trump is not like the typical tensed up white guy, he takes things lightly and has a relaxed attitude to life and tell things which are ridiculous to make a point but not to be taken seriously, exactly like how we all behave among ourselves.

VD Sunday, 21 June 2020 03:13 PM

Let's pray for Americans to vote out this mad man in November. It's been nothing but nonstop chaos and controversy for America and the whole world since Jan 2017. America is a giant mess economically and socially and he has destabilized the rest of the world pulling out of the Paris Climate treaty, Iran Peace agreement, Nuclear arms treaties, starting a trade war with China, insulting European allies, attacking global bodies, etc. In another four years with him, probably headed to World War III - US vs Rest of the World

Dee Sunday, 21 June 2020 03:40 PM

Sri Lanka has set an example to even the US!

Sri Lankan living in the USA Sunday, 21 June 2020 04:13 PM

The important news in the last 24 hours is that Trump has volunteered to negotiate between India and China in the aftermath of the clashes between Indian and the Chinese Armies, which had left 20 Indian Army personnel dead and further nearly 100 Indians seriously injured. Contrary to all the Indian propaganda that the Americans were on their side, this shows that the Americans are doing the right thing and remaining neutral in this conflict.

vithura Sunday, 21 June 2020 05:03 PM

Let's hope there aren't others who are following his footsteps!

SJP Sunday, 21 June 2020 05:30 PM

looks like we can also give lessons on election gundu to Trump. We have also got the slowest testing rate in Asia!

PD Sunday, 21 June 2020 05:56 PM

Let's pray for Americans to vote out this mad man in November. It's been nothing but nonstop chaos and controversy for America and the whole world since Jan 2017. America is a giant mess economically and socially and he has destabilized the rest of the world pulling out of Paris Climate treaty, Iran Peace agreement, Nuclear arms treaties, starting a fake trade war with China, insulting European allies, attacking global bodies, etc. In another four years with him, probably headed to World War III - US vs Rest of the World

Kapila Senaratne Sunday, 21 June 2020 06:20 PM

Come on! Sense of humor.I attended the ceremony ,it was a joke and everyone was laughing. Take it easy.

Clau Eri Sunday, 21 June 2020 06:25 PM

Don't listen to this idiot Trump. He is a President mentally ill now. He knows that going to lose the presidency.

sam silva Sunday, 21 June 2020 07:10 PM

Are we doing the same here.

Kumar Sunday, 21 June 2020 08:08 PM

It is not the testing that caused the spike in corona cases. Spike is caused by those who show up at the hospital emergency room with raspatory difficulties. Most republicans won't follow the rules and that could be advantages to the democrats because more republicans will die of this pandemic.

Ramal Sunday, 21 June 2020 08:33 PM

How about having a mad hatter as President. We just got rid of one.

Joshua Sunday, 21 June 2020 09:49 PM

Trump is joking. But some are doing it...ha haa

dara Sunday, 21 June 2020 10:20 PM

Thid indicates, Trump is poorly educated joker,and makes USA laughing stock in front of whole world

Siva Sunday, 21 June 2020 11:35 PM

In Sri Lanka when a person goes to hospital for any illness he gets treated. In the great United States he is asked if he is "covered" - does he have an insurance policy, if he does not have one he gets treated alright but as economically as possible. This was the real reason for the heighest death rate among identified persons in US. The people want more tests too have to be paid for but the patient can look out for help in his own way when the problem. Is detected. Among the developed countries America is the only country which does not consider medical help as a states obligation to its citizens.The Insurance companies which thrive in this situation do whatever possible to keep it that way.

mp Monday, 22 June 2020 05:59 AM

This is another idiot.

Observer Monday, 22 June 2020 07:58 AM

Uneducated white collar workers are the main Trump's followers. Wealthy few are supporting him to get favors done. Trump will take the country down with him. It's sad that there are still supporters who are deaf and blind.

Andrew Silva Monday, 22 June 2020 08:59 AM

Has this guy lost his bearings.

Andrew Silva Monday, 22 June 2020 09:02 AM

It is like telling a Olympic Athlete not to train because he will run faster.

Andrew Silva Monday, 22 June 2020 09:07 AM

An-ne Gono are you developing horns, just feel your head and see if you have one.

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Trump asked for slower coronavirus testing because ’more cases’ were being found

Comments - 20

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