Azar: China should let U.S. health team help respond to coronavirus

U.S. health officials are asking the Chinese government to let an American team help with the response to the novel coronavirus outbreak in China. At a press conference yesterday, HHS Secretary Alex Azar said that a group of U.S. public health workers and researchers is ready to travel to China, and shared that the American government has offered twice to send help. “We’re urging China: More cooperation and transparency are the most important steps you can take for a more effective response,” said Azar, who also mentioned U.S. authorities were expanding coronavirus screenings of travelers arriving from China at 20 airports. The outbreak continues to spread beyond mainland China: At least 17 other places have reported cases. To date, there have been almost 6,000 cases in China — more than 80 outside the country — and 132 people have died.