American infectious disease expert, Dr. Fauci: The worst is yet to come

(Patria) – U.S. President Donald Trump called on Americans to stop panic buying of essential supplies as the administration announces further virus testing and 'advanced guidelines' to combat its spread.

The President, during a press conference on Sunday evening, tried to reassure the public by saying 'relax, we are doing great... all of this will pass'.

At the same time, leading American infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, warned at the same conference that 'the worst is yet to come', stating that the crisis is reaching a 'very critical point'. Dr. Fauci had earlier warned of the need for more rigorous measures, like those in Europe, to curb the virus.

Trump also said he spoke with leaders of the food industry who asked him to send a message against hoarding food.

- They asked me to say: Can you buy a little less, please? I thought I would never hear that from a seller, said Trump, adding that 'there is no shortage' unless people buy 'five times more'.

Vice President and head of the coronavirus task force Mike Pence said on Sunday evening that there are currently 2,900 confirmed cases of infection in the U.S., a significant jump from the previous day when there were 2,200.

He also announced a new testing regime that will allow for the processing of 1.9 million tests in the coming weeks in more than 2,000 laboratories across the U.S.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar called the crisis an 'unprecedented challenge', stating that the pandemic may overwhelm the U.S. healthcare system. He also stated that the administration is working to increase medical supplies and ventilators.

New 'advanced guidelines' on combating the infection will be released on Monday, reports the British newspaper The Guardian.