In the United States, measures taken to eradicate the coronavirus are increasing. The House of Representatives approved an overwhelming majority on Wednesday (March 4th) of a bill that must release $ 8.3 billion to fight the Covid-19 virus and develop a vaccine. That's 5.8 billion more than what the Trump administration had asked for. This aid is yet to be voted in the Senate this Thursday.
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The aid provides $ 3 billion for research and development of vaccines and other treatments for the coronavirus, as well as test kits. The aid plan also earmarks $ 300 million to reduce the cost of immunization for the less well-off. Nearly a billion dollars is also planned to provide medicines and various medical equipment.
$ 2.2 billion is dedicated to prevention, organization and response to the Covid-19. Of this $ 2.2 billion, $ 950 million will go to the federal government and local authorities to support work in the fight against the virus.
$ 1.25 billion is set aside for international efforts to stem the epidemic, which has already affected 80 countries, killed more than 3,000 people, and shaken the financial markets.
The US Congress wanted to finalize this aid plan very quickly so that Donald Trump could eventually pass the law next week. A possible containment of the House of Representatives and the Senate in the event of an epidemic in Washington was also at the heart of the discussions.
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By Wednesday, 129 cases of coronavirus had been identified in the United States. The death toll stood at 11.