Coronavirus-hit Trump 'fatigued' as he is injected with experimental antibody cocktail
The president and his wife are self-isolating after testing positive just a month before the US election.
Friday 2 October 2020 22:56, UK
Donald Trump "remains fatigued" but is in "good spirits" after contracting coronavirus, his doctor has said.
The president has been injected with an experimental antibody cocktail of drugs, as well as taking vitamins and an aspirin.
He and his wife Melania are self-isolating after they tested positive for COVID-19, just one month before the US election.
His physician, Dr Sean P Conley, said the president had a single 8g dose of a Regeneron cocktail which he completed "without incident".
He has also been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine (which decreases stomach acid production), melatonin (a natural hormone that can help with sleep) and a daily aspirin.
The president had a low-grade fever, according to three people familiar with his condition, reported NBC News.
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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."
The doctor went on: "Melania Trump remains well with only a mild cough and headache. The remainder of the first family are well and tested negative for coronavirus."
His election rival Joe Biden - who took part in a televised debate with the president earlier this week - confirmed he has tested negative for the virus, along with his wife Jill.
The Democratic presidential candidate sent his prayers to the president and first lady, but also told reporters that Mr Trump's positive test was a "bracing reminder to all of us that we have to take this virus seriously".
He added: "Be patriotic, it's not about being a tough guy, it's about doing your part, wearing a mask not only protects you but it protects those around you."
Two days before testing positive, during the first debate, Mr Trump belittled Mr Biden for frequently wearing masks and not having campaign rallies that matched his own in size.
The president continued to shake hands with visitors despite public health officials warning against it and also initially resisted being tested.
Mr Trump also refused to wear a mask in public under almost all circumstances.
On Friday, Mr Biden wrote on Twitter: "I'm happy to report that Jill and I have tested negative for COVID. Thank you to everyone for your messages of concern. I hope this serves as a reminder: wear a mask, keep social distance, and wash your hands."
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told reporters on Friday that the president and first lady "remain in good spirits" but confirmed Mr Trump "does have mild symptoms".
Mrs Trump wrote on Twitter that she also has "mild symptoms" but is "overall feeling good", adding: "I am looking forward to a speedy recovery."
A White House official told NBC News that discussions are taking place about whether Mr Trump will address the American public later.
Campaign events being run by Mr Trump have now been moved online or have been postponed, according to his re-election team, as have ones involving his family.
However, Vice President Mike Pence, who has tested negative, "plans on resuming his scheduled campaign events".
The president confirmed on Twitter that he and Mrs Trump have been diagnosed with COVID-19, saying: "We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
The couple's 14-year-old son, Barron, has tested negative and "all precautions are being taken to ensure he's kept safe and healthy", the first lady's chief of staff Stephanie Grisham told NBC News.
World leaders, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Russian President Vladimir Putin offered messages of support.
Mr Johnson, who spent time in intensive care with coronavirus in April, said: "I think we all want to send our best wishes to the president and the first lady.
"I'm sure that they'll both stage a very strong recovery."
Mr Trump is 74 years old and his health records earlier this year showed he was categorised as obese, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from the virus.
He is now expected to self-isolate for two weeks while he receives treatment for the disease.
Before testing positive, Mr Trump had said he and his wife were self-isolating after Hope Hicks, one of his top aides, had contracted the virus.
Ms Hicks, who serves as a counsellor to the president, is the closest aide to Mr Trump to test positive so far.
She had travelled with the president several times over the last week, including on presidential helicopter Marine One, and on Air Force One to Tuesday night's debate.
Mr Meadows told reporters on Friday that it was discovered that Ms Hicks had tested positive for the virus "right as Marine One was taking off yesterday" as Mr Trump flew to New Jersey for a fundraising event.
Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner have all tested negative.
Mr Trump's positive test come as the virus continues to spread at an alarming rate in the US, even as the president has tried to downplay the threat of the disease.
More than 200,000 people have died in the US after contracting COVID-19 and more than seven million people have been infected.
But Mr Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies which have drawn thousands of supporters.
His diagnosis now throws into question the nature of the rest of the campaign, including the remaining two presidential debates.
The next debate is scheduled for 15 October in Miami.
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