US President Donald Trump and Melania have tested positive for coronavirus and will go into quarantine, the US president tweeted late on Thursday night after the infection was confirmed to have been contracted by one of his most senior advisors, Hope Hicks.
After the city announced a surge in Covid-19 incidents, Trump had earlier cancelled a scheduled appearance in western Wisconsin. Trump was due to stage two rallies, the La Crosse rally in Janesville and a rally in Green Bay on Saturday, before testing positive. In the coming weeks, his test findings are expected to change the face of Republican campaigning. Throughout the campaign, Trump rallies were characterised by massive crowds that frequently defied coronavirus restrictions.
"begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" - trump posted on twitter.
President's physician Sean Conley said Donald Trump and Melania "are both well at this time, and during their convalescence, they expect to stay at home inside the White House."
White House spokesman Judd Deere said that contact tracing was being carried out for Trump and Melania Trump. Bloomberg said that the optimistic outcome of the 74-year-old president is likely to sharpen an already intense public focus on his handling of the pandemic as he runs for re-election against Democrat Joe Biden, who leads in national polls.