President Donald Trump was taken to Walter Reed Military Medical Center after Covid-19 diagnosis, according to the White House.
The president's transfer was “out of an abundance of caution” following the positive result of his coronavirus test, the White House said.
Trump was reportedly wearing a mask as he left the White House after 6:15 PM ET and went to his helicopter, Marine One. He greeted the press but did not answer questions.
The transfer is being made “as a precautionary measure,” according to a senior administration official.
“President Trump remains in good spirts, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day,” press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement to the press at the White House.
“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,” McEnany stressed.
After he left the White House, a video of Trump speaking from the Oval Office was shared on his Twitter account.
“I want to thank everybody for the tremendous support,” Trump said. “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. The first lady is doing very well. So thank you very much, I appreciate it, I will never forget it. Thank you.”
The move to transfer Trump to Walter Reed Military Medical Center comes less than a day after the announcement of his positive Covid-19 test. His wife, Melania Trump, also contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, White House communications director Alyssa Farah said in a statement sent to NBC that “the president is in charge” and that power has not been given to Vice President Mike Pence.
“It’s not necessarily an indication the president’s condition has worsened. I think that prudence would want to put him into a place where you have access to facilities, in case his condition does change,” former FDA chief Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC.
“What we’ve seen with patients who are older, with Covid, is they can decompensate very quickly and so it could be that they want to have him in a facility that if, God forbid, he does get worse quickly, they can have medical resources available,” Gottlieb said.
Biden's message for Trump
Meanwhile, Trump's rival, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden tested negative for the coronavirus.
Biden was in the same room as Trump for about two hours during the presidential debate on Tuesday in Cleveland. None of them wore a mask on stage nor did moderator Chris Wallace.
However, the podiums of the presidential candidates were placed approximately 8 feet apart and they were not close to one another. The Centers for Disease Control’s guidance recommends 6 feet for social distancing.
“I’d like to start by acknowledging [and] sending my prayers for the health and safety of the first lady and president of the United States,” said Biden at an event held by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. “My wife Jill and I pray that they’ll make a quick and full recovery.”
“This is not a matter of politics,” Biden stressed. “It’s a bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously.”
