US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have tested positive for coronavirus and will go into quarantine, the US President tweeted Thursday night, after one of his top advisers, Hope Hicks, was reported to be , contracted the infection. Hicks had traveled with the president on multiple trips this week, including Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and Air Force One. It is not immediately clear how Trump contracted the virus that has infected more than 7 million Americans and killed more than 200,000.
Trump announced his health status on Twitter, saying that “they will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get out of this TOGETHER! “, He said.
Within minutes of Trump’s announcement, Bloomberg reported that US equity futures fell more than 1% and prices of 0il extended losses to fall around 2% early Friday.
The new Reuters agency said Trump had maintained a rigorous program of travel across the country in recent weeks, holding rallies with thousands of people in the run-up to the Nov. 3 election, despite warnings from professionals in the public health against holding events with large crowds.
Trump also had a tight schedule for Friday that included a private fundraiser at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, a campaign rally in Florida and a call with “vulnerable seniors” about the disease, the New York Times reported.
The infection would affect Trump’s ability to campaign in person for the presidential election. It’s unclear from his office if he will continue to address events by video, but his new hours only list a midday phone call on “Covid-19 Support for Vulnerable Seniors.”
Look: Donald Trump and Melania start a ‘quarantine process’ after an assistant tests positive for Covid
President Sean Conley’s physician said Donald Trump and Melania “are doing well right now and plan to stay home inside the White House during their convalescence.”
“Rest assured, I hope that the President will continue to serve without interruption while he recovers,” Dr. Conley said in a statement.
White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump and Melania Trump’s contacts were being traced. Bloomberg said the 74-year-old president’s positive result will likely sharpen already intense public attention on his handling of the pandemic as he campaigns for re-election against Democrat Joe Biden, who leads national polls.
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