Donald Trump has said he "can't imagine why" there has been a spike in hotline calls about disinfectant after he suggested injecting it to treat coronavirus.
Speaking at the White House Covid-19 news briefing on Thursday last week, Mr Trump said scientists should explore whether inserting light or disinfectant into the body might help treat the respiratory illness.
He later tried to backtrack by saying his comments were "sarcastic" after an onslaught of criticism, as international health experts rushed to warn people not to listen to his suggestion.
But on Sunday, the governors of Michigan and Maryland both blamed the president for the sudden rise in hotline calls.
A reporter at Monday's press conference told Mr Trump that the state of Maryland's emergency hotline had received hundreds of calls in recent days seeking guidance about his comments.
The president quickly shut down the question and refused to take responsibility for the spike.
"I can't imagine why. I can't imagine that," he said, before moving quickly on.
When asked whether he took responsibility, Mr Trump replied: "No, I don't."
Last week, the Maryland governor's office said it had issued a statewide alert warning against ingesting or injecting disinfectants following the president's remarks.
Mr Trump was also asked whether he would delay the presidential election in November.
He said: "I never even thought of changing the date of the election. Why would I do that?"
It came after Joe Biden, Mr Trump's presumptive Democratic opponent, said last week he thought Mr Trump would "try to kick back the election somehow".
But Mr Trump told reporters the idea was "made-up propaganda".
"I look forward to that election," he said.
