U.S. House passes $8.3 billion bill to battle coronavirus

The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved an $8.3 billion bill to combat the spread of the new coronavirus and develop vaccines for the highly contagious disease, sending it to the Senate for final passage.

Reflecting the urgency among lawmakers to address the growing coronavirus crisis, the House voted 415-2 on the bill just hours after negotiators unveiled its contents, Reuters reported.

It includes money to expand testing for the virus, which has infected at least 159 people in the United States.

Under the bill, over $3 billion would be devoted to research and development of coronavirus vaccines, test kits and therapeutics. No vaccines or treatments for the virus are currently in place, but patients can receive supportive care.