U.S. President Donald Trump disclosed in a tweet that he and the First Lady tested positive for coronavirus, throwing the country's leadership into doubt and adding more worry in a pandemic that has so far claimed the lives of over 207,000 Americans and over a million people around the world.
In a tweet, Trump said he and Melania will undergo a "quarantine and recovery process immediately." Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 after one of his top aides -- Hope Hicks, who traveled with Trump on Air Force One to Ohio this week -- also tested positive. "We'll get through this together," the New York Times quoted him in a Twitter post.
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
It isn't clear how Trump's current situation will affect orchestrations for his second presidential debate with Joe Biden, which is set on October 15 in Miami, Florida.
Trump's physician, Dr. Sean P. Conley, said the president was "well" without pointing out whether he was experiencing any symptoms and added he would remain in quarantine in the White House for the time being.
"Rest assured I expect the president to continue to carry out his duties without disruption while he recovers, and I'll keep you updated on any future developments," NYT quoted him as saying in a statement.
Trump last made a public appearance Thursday afternoon returning to the White House following an event in New Jersey. He didn't look frail, although he walked straight to his residence without talking to members of the media.
For months, Trump has played down the seriousness of COVID and even told guests during dinner hosted mostly for politicians Thursday night that "the end of the coronavirus pandemic is in sight."
