US President Donald Trump announced Thursday night that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus and that they have started a quarantine process. He gets a break from campaign rallies for 2 weeks and will likley now focus on his online campaign, through Twitter and other media.
“Tonight the First Lady and I tested positive for covid-19. We will immediately begin our quarantine and recovery process. We will get through this TOGETHER! ” the president messaged via Twitter.
Melanie Trump also assured the public that they will be kept in quarantine from now on.
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.- Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) October 2, 2020
Trump is "fine" and will fulfill his "functions without interruption" while undergoing a quarantine together with his wife Melania, after both tested positive for coronavirus, said the president's doctor at dawn on Friday.
Both are "doing well at the moment and plan to stay home in the White House during their convalescence," Dr. Sean Conley said in a statement. "I hope the president will continue to serve without interruption while he recovers," he added.
The president said Thursday that he underwent a test for covid-19, after his close adviser Hope Hicks tested positive.
"She tested positive," Trump told Fox News, confirming media reports about Hope Hicks.
"I just took a test and we'll see what happens," he added at the time, confirming that his wife Melania had also undergone a test.
"I will have the results tonight or tomorrow morning, but you know that I spend a lot of time with Hope, just like the First Lady," said the president. "Will we have to quarantine ourselves? I don't know," he said.
Hope Hicks was aboard Air Force One with the president when he flew to Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday to take part in the debate against Joe Biden.
She also traveled Wednesday with Trump to Minnesota for a campaign rally.
The US president is regularly tested for covid-19, as are employees who work in the "West Wing" of the White House. Journalists who visit the West Wing or travel with the president are also tested regularly.
Given that the next Presidential Debate is scheduled for the 15th of October, it may still be possible to have on that date. CDC announced a change from the recommended 14 day quarantine to a 10 day quarantine since, which be applicable in this case.This change was announced by the CDC back in July.
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 only needs to isolate for 10 days after they get those test results. This shortening of time from the original 14 days was decided because the latest scientific data shows most people are no longer contagious 10 days after the infection begins – even if you had symptoms. If they do not develop symptoms duringthe next 10 days, they are considered clear. If they do they need to remain isolated for another 10 days.
“The 14 day period is if you don’t get tested, but you know you’ve been exposed and you don’t have symptoms, or you do have symptoms but you haven’t been tested yet. It’s the utmost caution,” Dr. Wolfson explained.
It is possible candidate Joe Biden may still wish to postpone the debate. The final debate is scheduled for October 22nd, less than two weeks from the election. The Vice Presidential debate is scheduled for October 7th.
