The commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration on Sunday didn't defend a claim recently made by President Donald Trump.
But according to CNN, he didn't support it, either.
Dr. Stephen Hahn is a member of the White House coronavirus task force.
At a White House Independence Day event on Saturday, Trump made an unfounded claim that 99% of coronavirus cases are 'totally harmless.'
In a CNN interview with Dana Bash on Sunday, Dr. Stephen Hahn repeatedly refused to say whether Trump's remark was true or false.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 35% of cases are asymptomatic, but can still be transmitted to others.
The World Health Organization says the global fatality rate is likely less than 1%.
However, the WHO says 20% of all people who are diagnosed with coronavirus are sick enough to need oxygen or hospital care.