- The rapid spreadshocked financial markets

and international travel

will likely face further restrictions.

President Trump announced theU.S. is close to a vaccine.

80,000 cases worldwide issparking an urgent race

to stop the global spread.

- You may ask about the coronavirus

which is very well undercontrol in our country.

- Trump announced a 2.5 billion request

in funding to fight the virus.

- $2.5 billion we're putting in.

I see that Chuck Schumer criticized it,

he thought it should bemore and if I give more

he'd say it should be less.

- [Ben] House Speaker NancyPelosi called the request

"long overdue," but addedit's "completely inadequate

"to the scale of this emergency."

The White House says thefunds are for vaccines,

treatment, and protective equipment.

- They have studied it,they know very much.

In fact, we're very close to a vaccine.

- [Ben] But infections are surging

in Italy, Iran, and South Korea.

Health officials fear it could turn

into a global pandemic as they now try

to figure out how thevirus is transmitted.

- It is time to do everything you would do

in preparing for a pandemic.

- Now scientists at the drug maker Moderna

are expected to start clinical trials

in about two months ona potential vaccine.

Ben Kennedy, CBN News, the White House.