Donald Trump updated his followers on social media that he and Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus. Hours before making the announcement, he informed the public that he and his wife were waiting for the results of their test following the confirmation of Hope Hick's case.
He took his announcement to Twitter and deemed his top official's condition as "terrible." He, also, revealed that both he and the First Lady would start their quarantine as they wait for their results.
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
Hicks, who serves as Donald Trump's counselors, contracted the virus following their trips to and from Cleveland for the first presidential debate, according to the Daily Express. She traveled with the First Couple to Ohio and joined the U.S. President, as well, aboard the Marine One the day after.
After making the announcement, Judd Deere released an official statement, noting that Trump takes his and everyone's health "very seriously." He added that the White House Operations, White House Military Office, and the U.S. President's Physician have collaborated to ensure the incorporation of the safety measures from CDC in all of their plans to limit "COVID-19 exposure."
Before announcing the results of their tests, Donald Trump told Fox News that he and Melania Trump spent a lot of time with Hope Hicks, according to BBC. He said that the top official "often wore masks" but, still contracted the virus.
The U.S. President continued and shared his speculations about his counselor's virus infection. He claimed that Hicks could have contracted the virus after interacting with a supporter. He, then, explained that the official is a "very warm person," adding that she wants to treat the audience "great."
Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
A source, later on, told CNN that Hope Hicks started to experience the symptoms of COVID-19 following a trip back from Minnesota, where the U.S. President held a rally. She was feeling "pretty bad" and "achy."
With the current condition of the top official, as well as Donald Trump and Melania Trump, it is now unclear how their respective time in quarantine will affect the campaign. Questions about the arrangements for the second presidential debate, which will be on October 15, have, also, began to emerge.
Nevertheless, a White House official, reportedly, stated that they had already carried out "contact tracing" following Hicks' positive test results. They had, also, notified the White House staffers, who got in close proximity with Hicks and the First Couple.
