Donald Trump taken to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus

There is growing confusion over Donald Trump’s condition, despite the White House’s assurance he has gone to hospital as a precaution.

US President Donald Trump has been taken to Walter Reed Medical Centre, a military hospital, to be treated for the coronavirus.

Mr Trump and his wife Melania both tested positive for the virus yesterday.

The President, wearing a mask, waved to reporters but did not take questions as he left the White House and boarded his helicopter, Marine One.

In a statement to the media, the White House stressed that the move was being made “out of an abundance of caution”.

“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” it said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and at the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the President will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days.

“President Trump appreciates the outpouring of support for both he and the First Lady.”

Spokeswoman Alyssa Farah said the President was still working and there was no talk of a temporary transfer of power to Vice President Mike Pence.

“The President is in charge,” Ms Farah said.

Mr Trump himself posted a brief message online before departing the White House.

“I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support. I’m going to Walter Reed hospital. I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out,” he said.

“The First Lady is doing very well. So thank you very much, I appreciate it, I will never forget it. Thank you.”

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pic.twitter.com/B4H105KVSs

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020

Marine One has arrived on the White House South Lawn to take President Trump to Water Reed Medical Center where is expected to remain for multiple days after COVID-19 diagnosis pic.twitter.com/qOip61lrkP

— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 2, 2020

WATCH: Marine One lands on White House lawn to transport President Trump to medical center. pic.twitter.com/Gyaqut7Ah2

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 2, 2020

After being diagnosed with COVID-19, President Trump departs the White House for a multi-day stay at Walter Reed Medical Center pic.twitter.com/JUUAZGsA2s

— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 2, 2020

BREAKING: President Trump waves and gives a thumbs up before boarding Marine One. pic.twitter.com/l0PSGtqUeK

— Benny (@bennyjohnson) October 2, 2020

About an hour before the announcement that Mr Trump would go to Walter Reed, White House physician Sean Conley released an update on his condition.

“As of this afternoon the President remains fatigued but in good spirits,” Dr Conley said.

“He’s being evaluated by a team of experts, and together we’ll be making recommendations to the President and First Lady in regards to next best steps.

“First Lady Melania Trump remains well with only a mild cough and headache, and the remainder of the First Family are well and tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 today.”

Dr Conley also specified which medications the President had taken. They included an experimental cocktail of antibodies.

“As a precautionary measure, he received a single eight gram dose of Regeneron’s polyclonal antibody cocktail. He completed the infusion without incident,” he said.

“In addition to the polyclonal antibodies, the President has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin.”

Multiple US media outlets have reported the President has a low-grade fever. Neither the White House statement nor Dr Conley mentioned that symptom.

The New York Times, citing two people close to Mr Trump, says he is also suffering from nasal congestion and a cough.

And according to CNN’s White House correspondent Jim Acosta, reports an anonymous adviser to the President told him Mr Trump’s condition was “serious”.

“There is reason for concern about Trump’s health tonight,” the source told him.

“The source went on to describe Trump as very tired, very fatigued, and having some trouble breathing. White House officials continue to say Trump will be fine.”

One reason for the flood of anonymously sourced speculation here is that there has still been no briefing on Mr Trump’s condition.

The only official information released has come via Dr Conley’s letters and the White House’s written statements. We have yet to see a doctor stand up in front of the cameras and explain the situation in any detail.

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Donald Trump walking out of the White House to board Marine One. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

He flashed a thumbs up, but didn’t speak to the media. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

That aforementioned video message from Mr Trump marked the first time he had spoken publicly since his brief tweet yesterday confirming he had the infection.

“We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this together,” he assured Americans.

Mrs Trump also posted a statement, saying she and her husband were “feeling good”.

“As too many Americans have done this year, POTUS and I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19,” she said.

“We are feeling good and I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe and we will all get through this together.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent a private message to Mr Trump wishing him a speedy and full recovery.

The Trumps went into quarantine and got tested after one of the President’s closest advisers, Hope Hicks, contracted the infection.

Ms Hicks, a former White House communications director who returned to the administration as a counsellor to Mr Trump earlier this year, travelled to and from this week’s presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio with him.

She was also aboard the President’s helicopter, Marine One, for a trip to Joint Base Andrews yesterday. And she was a passenger on Air Force One for Mr Trump’s visit to Minnesota, where he held a political rally.

So far none of the other Trump family members who were travelling with Ms Hicks have tested positive.

But the cluster of cases connected to the President is growing. Two Republican senators, Thom Tillis and Mike Lee, today confirmed they had been infected.

Both men serve on the Judiciary Committee, and were present at a White House event last Saturday, where Mr Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the vacant seat on the Supreme Court.

Mr Lee in particular was seen hugging and mingling in close quarters with other guests, without wearing a mask.

Three White House journalists have also tested positive.

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On Saturday, Sen. Mike Lee was at Trump's announcement nominating Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. He mingled in the Rose Garden with other attendees. On Thursday, he was diagnosed with coronavirus. https://t.co/B4T4Er4OD6 pic.twitter.com/OxtZaDxQfi

— POLITICO (@politico) October 2, 2020

Mr Trump’s election opponent, Democratic nominee Joe Biden, wished the first couple well during a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan today.

“My wife Jill and I pray they’ll make a quick and full recovery,” Mr Biden said.

“This is not a matter of politics. It’s a bracing reminder to all of us we have to take this virus seriously. It’s not going away automatically.”

He urged Americans to continue wearing masks and practising social distancing.

“Be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy. It’s about doing your part,” he said.

“Wearing a mask is not only going to protect you, but it also protects those around you.

“Don’t just do it for yourself. Do it for the people you love; the people you work with.”

Mr and Dr Biden, both of whom were in the room with the President for this week’s debate, have both tested negative.

The New York Times reports the Biden campaign is pulling its negative ads and going “all positive”, given the situation.

The Democrats’ vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris also sent her best wishes to the President and First Lady.

“Doug and I join Joe Biden and Dr Biden in wishing President Trump and the First Lady a full and speedy recovery. We’re keeping them and the entire Trump family in our thoughts,” Senator Harris said.

There was also a message of support from Mr Trump’s predecessor, former president Barack Obama.

“Although we’re in the midst of a big political fight, and we take that very seriously, we also want to extend our best wishes to the President of the United States and the First Lady,” Mr Obama said.

“Michelle and I are hopeful that they and others that have been affected by COVID-19 around the country are getting the care that they need, that they are going to be on the path to a speedy recovery.

“And it’s important, I think, for all of us to remember that even when we’re in the midst of big political battles with issues that have a lot at stake, that we’re all Americans and we’re all human beings, and we want to make sure everbody is healthy.”

All election campaign events involving Mr Trump and his family will either be postponed or moved to a virtual setting as a result of his diagnosis. There is no word yet on the second presidential debate, which is scheduled for October 15.