U.S. to extend Texas testing capabilities as long as state leaders want: Pence

Ella Speer speaks with a doctor before getting tested in for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) during an outbreak in Austin, Texas, U.S., June 28, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Flores

U.S. Vice President Pence on Sunday said the federal government would extend support for coronavirus testing in Texas as long as necessary amid a dangerous surge in new cases, after U.S. health officials had moved to curb some sites in various localities.

Pence said the decision to transition from some federal testing sites was made "several weeks ago," before the latest rise in COVID-19 cases, telling reporters at a news conference in Dallas: "We'll be extending that every bit as long as Texas wants us to."

People get tested in their cars amid a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Austin, Texas, U.S., June 28, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Flores

(Reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington and Maria Caspani in New York, Editing by Alistair Bell)