Washington (CNN)Sen. Joe Manchin on Wednesday rejected President Donald Trump's suggestion that West Virginia was doing a good job of combating the outbreak because the Democratic senator believes testing is not adequately available, which means the true number of cases is unknown.
The Mountain State on Tuesday became the 50th state to announce a confirmed case.
Senate moving at 'warp speed' in coronavirus response
"I wanted to make sure that people understood they should not get a false sense of security. I was hoping the President would not go down that road in making (it) look like we're doing something special," Manchin told CNN's John Berman on "New Day," adding that the state has only tested about 130 people for the virus as of Tuesday morning. "With that being said, John, we have no testing, we're not prepared, people think that we're immune from this."
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice announced the state's first coronavirus case in the eastern panhandle on Tuesday. There were more than 6,000 confirmed cases across the US as of Wednesday morning.
During a White House coronavirus briefing Tuesday, Trump touted West Virginia for having no confirmed cases.
Read More
close dialog
Sign up for CNN's
Meanwhile In America
A daily analysis of US politics for global readers.
Sign Me Up
No Thanks
By subscribing, you agree to our
privacy policy.
Sign up for CNN's
Meanwhile In America
A daily analysis of US politics for global readers.
Please enter above
Sign Me Up
No Thanks
By subscribing, you agree to our
privacy policy.
You're on the list for CNN's
Meanwhile In America
A daily analysis of US politics for global readers.
close dialog
Listen to the CNN Coronavirus: Fact vs. Fiction podcast with chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta here.
"We have all of this equipment in stock and we're looking at different sites and a few different locations," Trump said. "And we're not going to need them in West Virginia, where so far, I guess, they have none. Still none. Still none right? Big Jim, the governor, he must be doing a great job."
Manchin said he has recently spoken with Vice President Mike Pence Tuesday night, who is the head of the White House coronavirus task force, and Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn about the need for medical support.
Virus confronts leaders with one of modern history's gravest challenges
"We need the testing, test kits. We have to have it and all the supplies that go with it. Talking to the vice president last night, we need personal protection equipment for all of our first responders and all of our health care workers."
He added, "When it hits my state -- and it has hit -- it is going to be absolutely catastrophic."
Manchin also said he was concerned about the effectiveness of the Trump administration's proposed $1 trillion dollar stimulus plan to help ease the financial impact of the virus on American households and businesses.
"Just throwing money out, for the sake of throwing money out, thinking it is going to cure it, if you don't have a plan, you don't have a system that monitors that, John, you're going to be trouble in the long run," he said. "I'm concerned about that."
Paid Content
Instantly unblock Gmail, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram &… expressvpn
Millions Of People Are Using This App To Learn A Language In 2020 Babbel
一位确诊不孕的女子，收养了一双儿女并见证什幺叫做缘份天注定 xfreehub
[Pics] School expels teen over outfit, regrets it when they see… RLI
[Pics] Mom has no idea why vacation photo went viral, then she sees the background Top5
Learning a new language this year? – This app gets you speaking in just 3 weeks Babbel.com
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Sells London Home Mansion Global
U.S. Here's what Harvey Weinstein said in court before his 23-year…
CNN International - TV - Videos Jared Kushner sells shares worth $25-$50 million in company…
Health Worried about coronavirus? If your loved one is over 60, read this
Politics Moderator: Here's what swing voters are saying about Trump
Health France says ibuprofen may aggravate coronavirus. Experts…
U.S. Police departments across the nation are changing how they…
Politics Devin Nunes' outrageous explanation for his coronavirus…
Find Inspiration in Los Angeles's Most Luxurious Mansions Mansion Global
How To Get Unrestricted Internet Access Worldwide With One… ExpressVPN
Modern Flair: Taking Design From Cold To Cozy Mansion Global
Paid Content
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Sells London Home Mansion Global Learning a new language this year? – This app gets you speaking… Babbel.com
More from CNN
Spain's Supreme Court overturns terrorism convictions of 5 men US and Canadian jets intercept Russian reconnaissance aircraft… Trump defends use of the term 'China virus' Bernie Sanders is raising the prospect of postponing all…
Recommended by