WASHINGTON, Aug 4 (KUNA) -- President Donald Trump has announced the number of novel coronavirus infections in the United States has gone down in the past week, hailing the new figures as a positive sign that the pandemic is receding.
"Nationwide the number of positive cases as declined by nearly 6 percent from the week before, and the positive test rate has also dropped from 8.7 percent to 8 percent over that same period of time," Trump said Monday in a press conference to the White House coronavirus taskforce.
He added that this is "an encouraging sign very, encouraging I have to add that the virus is receding".
"In hot spots across the South and West; we have seen slow improvements from their recent weekly peaks." The US leader urged Americans to abide by social distancing rules and wear masks in crowded areas to help curb the spread of the deadly virus.
"Even in these states, however, where the virus is under control and at a very low number, Americans should continue to be vigilant, be careful and order to prevent the new hotspots from opening up or any new hotspots from opening up in those states, "To that end, I urge all Americans to continue to socially distance, wash your hands, wear a mask when you cannot avoid crowded places and to protect the elderly." (end) asj.ibi