U.S. Testing Czar Rebuts Trump, Warns of Rising Virus Death Toll

Top U.S. health officials expect the rate of coronavirus deaths to rise with more hospitalizations, and states with intense outbreaks should close bars and slash restaurant capacity, one of Donald Trump’s top coronavirus advisers said Tuesday, rebutting the president’s downplaying of the pandemic.

Admiral Brett Giroir, who serves as the nation’s testing czar, acknowledged the gravity of the outbreak in an interview Tuesday morning with NBC, while offering notes of optimism and calling on Americans to keep wearing masks. The U.S. had 58,000 cases yesterday and a record 66,000 on Saturday.

Brett Giroir

Photographer: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters/Bloomberg

“None of us feel comfortable. Nobody’s ...