Azar: Virus Testing Available to Public Health Officials

Coronavirus testing is "fully available" to the nation's healthcare providers after a million tests were shipped over the weekend, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said Monday. 

"We have 2.1 million available for use in the United States," Azar said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom," adding that "rapid work" is being conducted on a vaccine that should go to clinical trials "very soon." 

He further insisted that there has never been a time "that any public health official in the United States" who needed to get someone tested has not been able to do so through a test developed by the Centers for Disease Control after the agency developed its lab test. 

"We have had capacity and through-put at every moment since we developed this test," he said. "That's a fact." 

He also noted that a therapeutic measure is already in clinical trials, and the Border Patrol is taking "aggressive" steps to protect Americans. 

However, Azar said he had not spoken with President Donald Trump yet on Monday, including after Wall Street's main stock indexes plummeted and the Dow Jones Industrials crashed 2,000 points early Monday but said the White House has been committed on keeping the economy going. 

He said he's also "disturbed" by comments from New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who commented over the weekend that he's concerned about the availability of tests. 

"New York State and New York City have all the lab tests they've asked for," said Azar. "A week and a half ago we approved New York state lab tests that they developed, that we actually approved. They have been up and running with capacity for any need they've had."

Meanwhile, he said he does not have all the details behind reports that the White House and State Department are discouraging in-person visits from foreign officials. 

"We'll take steps like (in) private industry to ensure the protection of our people and take reasonable steps," said Azar. 

• NBC: Congress May Recess to Protect Against Virus
• Cruise Liner Cleared to Dock in Florida After 2 Crew Members Test Negative for Coronavirus