Trump & Other Government Officials Test Positive For COVID-19

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On Friday October 2, United States President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

He announced this on Twitter in which he tweeted, “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” 

The President most likely contracted the virus from White House staffer and close aide of President Trump Hope Hicks, who was the first of his team to test positive, but it is not known.

On Oct. 2nd, Trump was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington DC. While there, he was treated with the steroid dexamethasone, which is too expensive for most patients. 

Trump told his physician, Dr. Sean Conley, that he felt “great” despite rumors that his case was much more severe, according to CNN. He left the hospital three days later without anyone disclosing whether or not he tested negative. 

As a result of Trump’s diagnosis and his early return from the hospital, the White House has seen its own outbreak of COVID-19. 34 people connected to the White House have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past week, according to an internal memo from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Among those with positive tests are advisor Kellyane Conway, Trump Campaign manager Bill Stepien, advisor and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany,  U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Charles Ray, and senior advisor Stephen Miller. 

One notable person who did not test positive is Vice President Mike Pence. Although he is often in close contact with the President and others who tested positive, he did not contract the virus. As a result, the Vice Presidential debate went on as scheduled on Oct. 7. 

Many seem to be wondering how exactly this outbreak began. Doctors and scientists have pinpointed one event that seems to be the cause of all these cases. 

On Sept. 26, President Trump hosted a ceremony in which he announced his nominee for the US Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. At this event, a large crowd of people were outdoors in close proximity, but did not wear masks at the White House Rose Garden. 

Despite the positive test, President Trump has continued to attend campaign fundraisers and rallies. Additionally, the upcoming presidential debate, originally scheduled for Oct. 15, has been canceled.