US performed 1.79 million tests, 3M to ship over 55 million N95 masks: Donald Trump

WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump on Monday said the United States has performed at least 1.79 million coronavirus tests and believes that the country has reported the highest number of cases in the world due to such extensive testing.

"Nobody has done more testing.... we have more cases because we have more tests," Trump said while addressing a press conference at the White House.

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Meanwhile, Trump announced the US has reached an agreement with 3M that will see the company supply over 55 million additional N95 respirator masks to the country each month.

"Because of my actions under the (Defense Production Act), I can also announce today that we have reached an agreement -- very amicable agreement with 3M -- with the delivery of an additional 55.5 million high-quality face masks each month," he said.

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Under the deal, 3M will ship an additional 55 million masks per month to the US from its overseas factories for the next three months, a senior administration official said.

This will help alleviate shortages in personal protective equipment for medical workers.