Trump, wife contract COVID-19, postpone campaign trips

*President takes the health, safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously, says The White House Spokesperson 

*World leaders sympathise with, wish the US first family speedy recovery

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Though pronounced “both well at this time” without indicating any symptoms of the virus, United States President Donald Trump and Melania, his wife, have tested positive for the novel Coronavirus disease and will quarantine.

President Trump in a tweet via his verified Twitter account early Friday, October 2, 2020, announced the development about the US first family.

He wrote: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this Together!”

It was learnt the White House physician, however, disclosed that Trump and Melania are “both well at this time”, but he did not say if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the Coronavirus.

Trump was reported to have said several hours earlier, that he would begin to quarantine, after his senior adviser Hope Hicks was confirmed to have contracted the disease caused by Coronavirus.

Trump did not say how long he and the first lady would quarantine for.

The COVID-19 test result comes five weeks before the US November 3 election.

Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been repeatedly criticized by Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

Recall that late Thursday, the President had confirmed during a Fox News interview that Presidential Adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive.

He said: “She did test positive; I just heard about this.”

Trump appeared to suggest Hicks may have been infected by a member of the military or police.

He stated: “It’s very very hard when you are with people from the military or from law enforcement and they come over to you and they want to hug you.

“And they want to kiss you because we really have done a good job for them and you get close and things happen.

“I was surprised to hear with Hope, but she’s a very warm person with them.

“She knows there’s a risk but she’s young.”

He and Melania have spent a lot of time with Hicks, Trump said.

Hicks is among Trump’s closest advisers and often travels with him.

The presidential adviser is among over 7.2 million Americans, who have tested positive for the virus. More than 200,000 have died.

Incidentally, Trump is often seen in public without a mask, which the White House has justified by saying the President and those he has close contact with are regularly tested for the virus.

The White House in a statement said steps are taken to limit COVID-19 exposure to the president and that all plans and procedures incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

White House Spokesperson Judd Deere also said that “the President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have postponed all upcoming engagements after the duo tested positive for COVID-19.

Melania tweeted Friday that “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.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who earlier in the year had his own brush with death from COVID-19 Friday wished US President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a rapid recovery.

Johnson said: “My best wishes to President Trump and the First Lady. Hope they both have a speedy recovery from coronavirus.”

Likewise, EU chief Charles Michel on Friday as well wished Trump and his wife Melania a quick recovery after the US first couple tested positive for COVID-19.

Michel stated in tweet: “Wishing @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy recovery. Covid-19 is a battle we all continue to fight. Everyday. No matter where we live.”

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