With an election upcoming, sitting President Donald Trump and First Lady, Melania, contracted the coronavirus. In addition, the President also announced that close advisor, Hope Hicks, had also tested positive for Covid-19.
It goes without saying that it has been an interesting time within the White House.
What has happened since Trump announced having Covid-19?
Trump announced that he had contracted the virus on Friday morning. After his announcement, the president was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Since then, the President has received the antibody cocktail Regeneron, an experimental drug that hasn’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Also, Trump has received the remdesivir, an antiviral drug that has been given the emergency use authorization from the FDA. The drug has been shown to shorten recovery time for those who have tested positively for the coronavirus, according to reports.
He has also been taking many other drugs including: zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and aspirin.
At the time, reports stated that, “the President’s vitals over last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We are still not on a clear path to a full recovery.”
President Trump had been receiving supplemental oxygen since the occurrence of announcing the virus, per reports.
However, Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, stated that the President isn’t on the oxygen right now. In addition, is happy about the President’s progress.
“The first week of Covid and in particular the days seven to 10 are the most critical in determining the likely course of this illness,” stated Conley at a news briefing. “At this time the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the President has made.”
“Thursday he had a mild cough and some nasal congestion, fatigue, all of which are resolving and improving,” he continued.
Also, Sean Dooley, MD of Walter Reed Medical Center, says that Trump is in good spirits.
“We are monitoring him very closely for any evidence of complications either from the coronavirus illness or the therapies we are prescribing to make him better,” he said.
Who else within the White House has/had contracted the virus?
Many within the circle of Trump have contracted the virus in the last couple of days.
Counting Trump, reports list at least eight individuals have tested positive for Covid-19. The names have included…
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC)
- Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)
- Kellyanne Conway, former White House counselor
- John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University
- Chris Christie, former New Jersey governor
Republican Sen. Ron Johnson, also tested positive for the virus. However, he’s asymptomatic and feels fine. Johnson stated that he got tested for Covid-19 as a precaution after hearing that Republican Sen. Mike Lee, had tested positive for the virus Friday morning.
Christie tested positive yesterday, and as a precaution, was admitted to Morristown Medical Center.
How sick is the President?
Gabriel Sherman, special correspondent at Vanity Fair reported via Twitter, President Trump had “heart palpitations” yesterday. Futhermore, the palpitations were “a possible negative side effect of Regeneron antibody treatment. His fever reached 103. And a G7 ally wonders if he’ll appoint Ivanka president instead of Pence.
Sherman also reported that Trump was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Wednesday — a day earlier than it was reported. His doctor Dr. Sean Conley shared this news with media, which means Trump was infected during the first Presidential debate, and he did attend a fundraiser on Thursday.
The report even states Trump disagreed with being admitted to the hospital; however, the White House staff gave him an ultimatum: go now while he could walk on his own power or wait when his health declined and needed assistance via a wheelchair or even stretcher.
“He didn’t want to go to the hospital a month before the election. They told him, ‘You can go now or we’re taking you later and it’s non-negotiable,'” sources said.
The President gave an update stating he is feeling better and hopes to “be back soon” to finish up his campaign.
As of Sunday morning, Oct. 4:
As reported by White House correspondent for the New York Times, Maggie Haberman, shared the following on Trump via Twitter.
“Four pieces of information in that briefing: a) Trump’s fever was “high” b) Trump’s lung scans show “expected findings,” unclear what that means but c) Trump is on a steroid the WHO recommends only for “severe and critical” COVID cases and d) Trump’s oxygen lvls dropped again Sat.”
Haberman continued on what Trump’s physician Dr. Conley stated on his condition in couple of Tweets:
“Conley says fever is gone now. He says president not on oxygen right now. The new information is important. Could they be reacting overly cautiously because he’s potus? Maybe but that steroid use in a 74 year old man w breathing probs is a flag and fever can be lowered w medicine. Also – this is a virus that bounces around in terms of good days and bad days till its conclusion, like other viruses, as Conley acknowledged. Unclear what factors they’re using for possible discharge. And one other point – steroids for lung performance have unpleasant side effects, like irritability and mood swings.”
A surprising development today also included learning that the President — aware the virus was spreading around his staff — tried to keep things under wraps.
“As the virus spread among Trump’s top advisers, the president tried to keep secret who was getting sick: “Don’t tell anyone,” reported Wall Street Journal’s White House correspondent, Michael Bender.
Trump received a positive Covid-19 result from a rapid test on Thursday before his interview with Fox News. However, instead of stating on the interview he received a positive test, he only confirmed earlier reports that his top aide had Covid-19.
Per protocol at the White House, President Trump did follow as first he took a rapid test to check for coronavirus. Afterward, he took a more reliable test which screens deeper in the nasal passage after a repaid test shows a positive reading, Bender’s report stated.
Trump and his advisors attempted to keep positive test results quiet and didn’t inform the President’s campaign manager, Bill Stepien, that Hicks had tested positive. Stepien only learned of the news once it was reported around the country. On Friday evening, Stepien also tested positive for covid-19.
Due to Trump and his campaign trying to keep his health a secret, the White House has reported contradictory statements on his condition.
As of Monday, Oct. 5:
Dr. Sean Conley announced last night the President’s health continues to improve and he could be discharged from Walter Reed at some point today.
After a short stay in the hospital, President Trump announced he will be discharged later this evening:
His medical staff will be holding a briefing this afternoon.
The president arrived back at the White House this afternoon and addressed his return to his campaign trail as many reports today gave a lead to his challenger, Joe Biden.
He will continue his treatment at the White House but before leaving the hospital, retweeted about the New York Post calling him “an invincible hero” and asking Americans not to “be afraid” of the coronavirus.
He even stated he could have left the hospital a couple days ago, despite many experts believe he is a high risk patient and is going through the most dangerous period of vulnerability.
As of Wednesday Oct. 7
The coronavirus is continuing to spread among staff members in the White House — and has been for weeks. Crede Bailey, a security official at the White House, has been diagnosed with the virus since last month. In a new report today, it was stated Bailey is “gravely ill”, but the White House is giving no details on his condition.
Bailey is in charge of approving credentials for individuals seeking access to the White House and works closely with the Secret Service in terms of security measurements. According to the report, Bailey became sick prior to Trump’s event where he announced Amy Coney Barrett as his nominee for Supreme Court.
Check back for more updates.
