Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Washington state on Thursday to see for himself what needs to be done to tackle a growing coronavirus outbreak that has claimed 10 lives.
Pence was put in charge of the administration’s coronavirus response last week and spent Wednesday morning meeting pharmaceutical and airline chief executives.
“We all grieve the loss of American lives,” he said. “Word from the CDC is one more American has expired. Ten Americans have succumbed to this disease. A little more than 100 Americans who have contracted this.”
Soon after, he tweeted his travel plans, saying: “I will be traveling to Washington to meet with Governor @JayInslee tomorrow. We are here for every American and will continue to work with state and local leaders as we protect their health and well-being.”
He had been due to visit Wisconsin and Minnesota for two campaign events and a trip to 3M, which manufactures protective gear for healthcare workers and other sectors.
The new schedule was announced as it emerged that three family members and a neighbor of a New York coronavirus patient had tested positive.
In all, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of U.S. cases had jumped from 108 to 129.
