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States to get test kits as White House amps up virus effort

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Posted at 4:36 PM, Mar 01, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-01 19:37:18-05

WASHINGTON (AP) — Preparation for the coronavirus spreading around the world is speeding up.

Federal health officials want to get virus testing up and running in every state. And the Trump administration may invoke a 70-year-old law to guarantee a range of needed supplies.

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Two days after the White House shifted gears from Trump's initial assurances of minimal fallout to a mobilization under Vice President Mike Pence, the administration's messaging still isn't completely seamless.

The count of U.S. cases grew, with two more passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship testing positive and health officials in California, Oregon and Washington state confirming three patients had been infected by unknown means.