The death and disease count continues to climb in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory.

As of Wednesday, 45 people died as a result of the hurricane damage, and four of those deaths were because of drinking contaminated water, authorities said.

A third of Puerto Ricans are without water, and 89 percent of residents there do no have electricity.

The U.S. government said it expects electricity to be fully restored by March.

The lack of resources has pushed residents to contaminated streams and waterways to try and satisfy their thirst.

Those waterways, contaminated by animal urine and other toxins, has made at least 10 more people sick with leptospirosis. The disease causes high fever, vomiting and jaundice, among other symptoms.

President Donald Trump on Thursday morning tweeted that the country's resources can't help Puerto Rico forever.

...We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2017

The president added that much of the territory's problems are self made, and the "electric and all infrastructure was disaster before hurricanes."

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Republican from York County, defended the president on CNN Thursday morning, hours after appearing with Trump the night before in Middletown.

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During CNN's "New Day," Perry tangled with host Chris Cuomo, who has said the U.S. government is not doing enough to help Puerto Rico.

"They're not starving," Perry said.

"You are wrong," Cuomo said. "You should do whatever you can."

"They are doing whatever they can," Perry said. "There is a limit to everybody's ability, including the United States government."

Perry said the government is doing everything it can and asked Cuomo, "What does success look like to you? Does everyone have power the next day?"

Cuomo answered, "The people who need food and water having."

The CNN host stressed that half the country is without fresh water, power and food.

"Mr. Cuomo, you're simply just making this stuff up," Perry said. "If half the country didn't have food or water, those people would be dying, and they're not."

The video above shows the full exchange.