Updated 2:04 p.m.
President Donald Trump has declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency. He spoke from the Rose Garden as Washington struggled with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of the outbreak.
Part of the government response will be a public-private partnership to increase national coronavirus testing capabilities. Trump also waived interest on federally held student loans and he moved to prop up energy markets, by directing the Department of Energy to buy oil to fill the strategic petroleum reserve “'right up to the top.”
Negotiations continue between the White House and Congress on an aid package, but there was no announcement of a breakthrough, as House Democrats prepare to vote on their own measure Friday.
Colorado Coronavirus Updates: Closures, Testing, Cases And More
