President Donald Trump’s team of doctors on Sunday said he is doing well following his COVID-19 diagnosis and could be discharged as early as Monday to continue his treatment.
He was flown to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Friday evening for in-hospital treatment.
Trump was “up and well” Sunday and the plan was to have him “out of bed” as much as possible, Dr. Brian Garibaldi, a specialist in pulmonary critical care, told the Associated Press. He said Trump received a second dose of the experimental drug remdesivir and a first dose of dexamethasone Saturday and was not showing any side effects.
House speaker: Trump’s doctors need to be honest
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that doctors treating the president must provide trustworthy information to the public.
Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley admitted on Sunday that he was trying to present a rosier picture “to reflect the upbeat attitude” of the president and his medical team, the AP reported, when he declined to share Saturday that Trump had been placed on oxygen Friday.
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Sunday that the medical team was very concerned with the president’s health Friday morning when he experienced a drop in his blood oxygen levels and had a high fever.
On Saturday morning, Conley gave an update on the president’s condition, in which he said that the president was doing well. Conley said that Trump had no trouble breathing, that he is now fever-free, and that his cough and fatigue were improving.
The AP reported that a source that asked to remain anonymous said the president had been on oxygen at the White House before being taken to the hospital. The AP also said that an unnamed source also said that Trump’s condition had been “very concerning,” though it is unclear if this is the same source.
VP Pence tests negative
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife, Karen, have tested negative again Sunday for the coronavirus. Pence is expected to resume campaigning this week with no changes to health protocols.
Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) October 2, 2020
Trump releases video from hospital
President Trump released a video from the hospital on Saturday evening, saying that he is feeling much better and is thankful for the support his seen and his team of doctors. "We’re going to beat this coronavirus and we’re going to beat it soundly,” he said. He also said the first lady is doing well.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020
More positive coronavirus tests
Other White House officials and prominent republicans have tested positive for the coronavirus after the president’s diagnosis, including campaign manager Bill Stepien, Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, former advisor Kellyanne Conway, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah.
The president’s son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted on Saturday that he had tested negative for coronavirus.
Thanks to all those who so lovingly have reached out about @realDonaldTrump and the rest of the family. It truly means a lot to us.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) October 3, 2020
I tested negative so I’ll give it a few more days out of and abundance of caution and test again and if I’m clear I’ll be back to work asap.
President’s campaign events going virtual
Campaign events involving President Donald Trump’s participation will move to online or be postponed in the wake of the president testing positive for coronavirus, according to his campaign manager.
“All previously announced campaign events involving the President’s participation are in the process of being moved to virtual events or are being temporarily postponed," said Bill Stepien. “In addition, previously announced events involving members of the First Family are also being temporarily postponed. All other campaign events will be considered on a case-by-case basis and we will make any relevant announcements in the days ahead.”
President, first lady showed mild symptoms
President Trump showed mild symptoms for coronavirus after testing positive a White House representative reported, according to AP.
Though the president is quarantining, he reportedly plans to conduct business as usual.
The first lady also said that she is experiencing mild symptoms.
“Thank you for the love you are sending our way," she shared on Twitter. “I have mild symptoms but overall feeling good. I am looking forward to a speedy recovery.”
Trump made the announcement just before 1 a.m. Friday morning that he and the first lady had tested positive for coronavirus.
The announcement came a few hours after he tweeted that close aide Hope Hicks had tested positive for COVID-19.
Within an hour of the announcement, the AP reported that Trump’s White House Doctor Sean Conley issued a statement saying that the president and first lady “are both well at this time,” that they planned to remain at home during their convalescence.
Biden tests negative
Presidential candidate Joe Biden and his wife Jill both tested negative for coronavirus Friday morning, according to their primary care physician.
“Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden underwent PCR testing for COVID-19 today and COVID-19 was not detected,” read a statement released by Biden’s campaign.
Biden was tested for the virus Friday morning after President Trump announced his diagnosis.
Biden shared the debate stage with Trump for 90 minutes in Cleveland on Tuesday.
Vice president tests negative
The White House announced Friday morning that Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Second Lady Karen Pence had tested negative for coronavirus. Pence’s spokesperson Devin O’Malley said the vice president is tested every day, according to AP.
He added that Mike Pence “remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery.”
The vice president will continue with previously scheduled campaign, said Trump’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien.
Worldwide reactions
The announcement was soon followed by Vice President Mike Pence saying he and his wife were sending “love and prayers,” to the president and first lady.
Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump. We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) October 2, 2020
This morning Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine also offered a message of support in a statement that was also posted to social media.
Fran and I join our fellow Ohioans in praying for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after they announced early today that they have both tested positive for COVID-19.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) October 2, 2020
Former President Barack Obama offered a message of support, saying that despite political differences, “let’s remember that we’re all Americans.”
Obviously, we’re in the midst of a big political battle right now, and while there’s a lot at stake, let’s remember that we’re all Americans. We’re all human beings. And we want everyone to be healthy, no matter our party.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) October 2, 2020
Former vice president and current presidential candidate Joe Biden said that his and his wife’s thoughts were with the president and first lady.
Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery. We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 2, 2020
According to the AP, more messages of support and sympathy came from other leaders across the globe, including British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Other leaders, media outlets, and people on social media across the globe reacted with a mixture of support, shock, uncertainty and mockery, the AP reported.
Meanwhile, the AP reported that global shares and U.S. stock futures fell shortly following the announcement, with oil prices tumbling around 3%.
More information
Donald Trump testing positive for the coronavirus adds his name to a small group of world leaders who have been infected, the AP said. This group includes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez and multiple other leaders.