Donald Trump, U.S. President has ordered his government to give support to coronavirus-hit Italy, in a memorandum published late on Friday.
Furthermore, in the memo, Trump wrote:
“(Italy), one of our closest and oldest Allies, is being ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic,”.
Also, he said:
“first and foremost responsibility is to the American people,”
helping Italy will help mitigate the impact of the crisis, and demonstrate U.S. leadership.
Furthermore, Trump ordered U.S. military personnel stationed in Italy to set
available to assist in setting up field hospitals and fuel, transport supplies and food.
Also, the order included that any Italiansbwho need medical care unrelated to COVID-19 should receive treatment in the U.S military medical facilities.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross asked to encourage U.S. suppliers to deliver
necessary supplies, such as medical equipment, as requested by the Italian authorities.
Italy had the highest death toll from coronavirus in the world as of Friday,
with 18,849 fatalities, according to the country’s Civil Protection Agency.
The U.S. followed closely, with 18,769 recorded deaths as of early Saturday,
according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.