US President Trump, Melania test positive for coronavirus

 

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for Covid-19.

The President broke the news in a tweet early on Friday.

"We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately," he said. 

Earlier, Trump said he and the US first lady were in quarantine after one of his closest aides tested positive for coronavirus.

He said that both he and Melania Trump were now awaiting their own test results after Hope Hicks was infected.

The 31-year-old adviser to the president is the closest aide to Mr Trump to test positive so far.

She travelled with him on Air Force One to a TV debate in Ohio earlier this week.

Ms Hicks was pictured getting off the presidential jet on Tuesday in Cleveland without a mask.

She was in even closer proximity to him aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One on Wednesday when the president held a rally in Minnesota.

Mr Trump's physician Sean Conley released a statement, saying the president and the first lady "are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence".

"Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments," the statement said.

It is not clear how Mr Trump's positive test will affect arrangements for the second presidential debate, which is scheduled for 15 October in Miami, Florida.