President Donald Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus.
In a tweet, Trump said, “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
White House physician Sean Conley said in a memo, “The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”
He also said he expects Trump to “continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering.”
The announcement came hours after the president said he would begin a quarantine process after top aide Hope Hicks tested positive for coronavirus
Hicks, who has been known to spend a lot of time with Trump, had traveled with the president to the debate Tuesday night in Cleveland. She was seen not wearing a mask.
Trump, 74, himself rarely wears a mask and has mocked Biden, 77, for often wearing face coverings. Shortly after Trump’s tweet, U.S. stock futures moved sharply lower with Dow futures falling more than 400 points.
Unlike ordinary people in the US, in which many are not tested for Covid-19 or receive hospital care due to overcrowding, the President has a complete, dedicated team of specialists at Walter Reed. At the White House, he also has a medical unit on duty 24/7.