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According to German broadsheet Die Welt, Trump is looking to have an exclusive licence rolled out in the United States. Berlin is reportedly looking to make its own offers to biotech firm CureVac, based in Thuringia state, but with offices in Frankfurt and Boston. A source close to the German government said under Trump’s plans, a vaccine would be “only for the United States”.

CureVac lists its specialists as “development of treatments against cancer, antibody-based therapies, treatment of rare illnesses and prophylactic vaccines”. A Federal Ministry of Health spokesman said: “The German government is very interested in having the development of vaccines and active substances against the novel coronavirus undertaken in Germany and Europe.” Then CEO of CureVac Daniel Menichella was invited to the White House on March 2 to meet with Trump, Vice-President Mike Pence and representatives of pharmaceutical companies. Mr Menichella said: “We are very confident that we will be able to develop a potent vaccine candidate within a few months.”

Stock image of coronavirus testing in Glasgow (c), Trump is accused of trying to poach o scientists

Trump tested negative after a meeting with a Brazilian delegation

CureVac this week announced Mr Menichella is being replaced as CEO by founder Ingmar Hoerr. In the announcement Mr Menichella was credited for his role in the start of the programme to tackle coronavirus, but the statement offered no reason or comment from the outgoing CEO. Mr Hoerr was praised by deputy chairman of the supervisory board Jean Stephenne who said: “We are convinced that he and his team will succeed in developing important MRNA therapeutics and vaccines, such as those against the coronavirus.” The amount of coronavirus cases in the US passed 2,800 on Saturday with one town Teaneck in New Jersey calling on all residents to self quarantine. READ MORE: Coronavirus USA: 'No need' for Trump to be tested

Trump and Mike Pence at a briefing on coronavirus

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice with Melania Trump

US citizens after leaving the quarantined Diamond Princess cruiseliner

At the time of writing, West Virginia remains the only state without confirmed cases. In West Virginia 31 people have been tested with 26 testing negative. The remaining five results are pending.

Coronavirus is now a pandemic

Governor Jim Justice has closed schools in the state. Mr Justice said: "There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in West Virginia. "However, it's anticipated that the disease will come to West Virginia soon."

A department store in Kirkland, Washington with empty shelves

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