Donald, Melania Trump Test Positive for Coronavirus, Go Into Quarantine
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US President Donald Trump said he and wife Melania both have Covid-19 after close aide Hope Hicks, who accompanied him to events this week, tested positive for the disease.
The US president, who is in a high risk category due to his age and because he is considered overweight, tweeted in the early hours of Friday: "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19, Mirror reported.
"We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
Trump has spent months downplaying the severity of the pandemic and been condemned for his handling of the crisis in America, which has suffered the world's highest number of cases and deaths.
Earlier on Thursday night, the president predicted that the end of the pandemic was in sight.
It is the most serious known health threat to a sitting president for decades, and it dramatically alters the presidential race just over a month before the November 3 election.
Trump announced the test results after one of his closest aides, Hope Hicks, who travelled with him on Air Force One this week, tested positive. She is said to have displayed symptoms and tested positive on Wednesday, when she joined Trump on a campaign trip to Minnesota.
A tweet from the first lady's Twitter account said: "We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together."
About two hours before he confirmed he had the virus, Trump tweeted: "Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19.
"Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!"
Hicks, 31, also had close contact with Jared Kushner, the husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka and a senior adviser to the president, and other senior members of White House staff.
She travelled with Trump and the first lady to Cleveland, Ohio, for the first presidential debate with Democratic challenger Joe Biden on Tuesday. She also joined Trump when he flew to Minnesota for a fundraiser and rally on Wednesday.
The president largely eschews wearing masks and has criticized others who do. Public health professionals say mask-wearing is key to helping to prevent the virus from spreading.
