“Six weeks ago, eight weeks ago, you never heard of this. All of a sudden it’s got the world aflutter,” Trump said. “Things happen that you never would even think would happen.”

He said health officials are working on therapeutic treatments for COVID-19. Doctors currently can only treat the symptoms of the disease. The president also said lawmakers are working to send aid to affected communities.

“We are working with Congress very closely to pass supplemental legislation that ensures state and county health departments get everything they need,” he said. “I asked for $2.5 billion, and it looks like they’re going to give us $8.5 billion. I don’t think that’s ever happened to me before.”