President Donald Trump is being transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center where he will stay for the next few days after being diagnosed with COVID-19.
“President Trump remains in good spirts, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days. President Trump appreciates the outpouring of support for both he and the First Lady.”
“Following PCR-confirmation of the President’s diagnosis, as a precautionary measure he received a single 8 gram dose of Regeneron’s polyclonal antibody cocktail,” White House physician Sean Conley, D.O., said in a statement. “He completed the infusion without incident. In addition to the polyclonal antibodies, the President has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin.”
“As of this afternoon the President remains fatigued but in good spirits,” the statement continued. “He’s being evaluated by a team of experts, and together we’ll be making recommendations to the President and First Lady in regards to next best steps.”
Conley said that first lady Melania Trump was experiencing a mild cough and a headache.
Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs, who broke the story last night that White House adviser Hope Hicks had received a positive test result for COVID-19, noted on Twitter: “Trump has had a long distaste for hospitals, and a distrust of medical treatments. Some of his closest allies note Trump wouldn’t allow himself to be hospitalized unless he absolutely had to.”
Trump has had a long distaste for hospitals, and a distrust of medical treatments. Some of his closest allies note Trump wouldn’t allow himself to be hospitalized unless he absolutely had to.
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) October 2, 2020
Trump announced late last night that he and the first lady had tested positive for the virus and that he was beginning the process of quarantining.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19,” Trump tweeted. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
First lady Melania Trump tweeted: “As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.”
Vice President Mike Pence wrote on Twitter: “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.”
“Our President and First Lady have tested positive for COVID-19, however, rest assured they are both fine and completely asymptotic. The President is in very good health and has NO comorbities,” former White House physician Ronny Jackson tweeted. “Well over 99% of healthy individuals in the President’s age group recover completely and most never even become symptomatic. I fully expect this to be the case with President Trump as well.”
2/2: Well over 99% of healthy individuals in the President’s age group recover completely and most never even become symptomatic. I fully expect this to be the case with President Trump as well.
— Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJackson4TX) October 2, 2020
This report has been updated to include background information.