How is Donald Trump doing today?
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked debate after briefly leaving his bed to treat supporters to a “surprise drive by” outside hospital.
The President waved to well-wishers as he circuited the Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in Maryland in an armoured vehicle on Sunday, October 4.
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But critics have slammed his actions as irresponsible and “political theatre”.
The stunt took place shortly after sharing a video message from hospital, warning the “next few days will be the real test” in his battle against Covid-19.
When did Donald Trump test positive for coronavirus?
Trump announced his coronavirus diagnosis in a tweet in the early hours (BST) of Friday, October 2, following a positive test from one of his closest aides.
Donald Trump said on October 2 that he and wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus.
The shocking news came just a month before the 2020 presidential election on November 3 — and after having spent much of 2020 largely downplaying the threat of the virus.
The president rarely wears a mask and has ridiculed others, including Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, for doing so regularly.
Health professionals say that face coverings are key to preventing the spread of the virus.
Tweeting the news of his result, he said: “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately.
“We will get through this TOGETHER!”
Melanie also tweeted: “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.”
How is Donald Trump doing now?
Trump is being treated with the steroid dexamethasone after his oxygen dropped to a “limited” level on Friday and Saturday, his doctor said on Sunday, October 4.
But the President was said to be doing well and could even possibly be discharged back to the White House on Monday, October 5.
It follows Trump sharing a video message from Walter Reed Medical Centre on October 3 – warning the “next few days will be the real test” in his fight against coronavirus.
He said: “I came here, wasn’t feeling so well. I’m feeling much better now.
“I’m starting to feel good. You don’t know over the period of a few days – I guess that’s the real test.
“We’ll be seeing what happens over the next couple of days.”
He added that he’ll “be back soon” and will “finish the campaign”.
The four-minute video follows a day of confusion over his condition.
Doctors had said he’s doing well, but the White House chief of staff said his vitals are “very concerning and the next 48 hours are critical”.
It came after Trump was airlifted to hospital on the evening of Friday, October 2.
The President updated his followers on Twitter with the message: “Going well, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!”
White House doctor Sean P Conley confirmed that Trump has been given a dose of – a drug used for the treatment of Ebola, Sars, and hepatitis C.
Dr Sean Dooley said in a press briefing on Sunday, October 4, that Trump was “not on oxygen” and “not having difficulty breathing or walking”.
Timeline of Donald Trump’s battle with coronavirus
- October 1: President Trump tests positive for coronavirus
- October 2: Mr Trump announces he has contracted the virus on Twitter. White House chief of staff announces the president’s oxygen levels had dropped dramatically, fuelling concerns about his health. Donald Trump’s doctor Sean Conley reveals he was injected with an experimental Regeneron antibody cocktail. The president is flown from the White House to the Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in Maryland by helicopter.
- October 3: Dr Conley and team update reporters on the president’s condition, stress the president was in “exceptionally good spirits”. Mr Trump tweets a video saying he is starting to feel “much better” but the next few days will be “the real test” of his treatment for Covid-19.
- October 4: The President spends a third night in hospital. Trump continues to improve but oxygen levels dropped. Doctors confirm he received supplemental oxygen and has also been given dexamethasone. Donald Trump briefly leaves hospital for a surprise “drive-by” after announcing in a Twitter video that he wanted to surprise supporters who have gathered outside the hospital.
How did President Trump catch Covid?
This is not exactly clear. But Trump’s positive test came just hours after he confirmed that senior aide Hope Hicks, who had travelled with him several times this week, had come down with the virus.
He was seen by reporters returning to the White House on the evening of Thursday, October 1, and looked to be in good health.
Because Trump is 74 years old he is at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has now killed more than 205,000 people nationwide.
Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis is the latest among world leaders, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted to intensive care after contracting the disease and the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also falling ill.
Where was Trump quarantining with Melania before going to hospital?
Earlier on Friday, October 2, Dr Sean Conley, the physician to the president, said Trump and Melania were both well and planned to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.
Trump cancelled plans to attend a fundraiser and to fly to Florida for a rally on October 2.
But he did keep on his schedule a previously planned midday telephone call on Covid-19 support to vulnerable seniors.