**See updates below**
DES MOINES, Iowa – President Donald Trump announced shortly before midnight Central Time on Twitter that he and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this together.
At the age of 74, Trump is at higher risk of serious complications from COVID-19.
Earlier in the evening, Jennifer Jacobs of Bloomberg News reported that Trump aide Hope Hicks also tested positive. She traveled aboard Air Force One to the first presidential debate on Tuesday and his Minnesota rally on Wednesday.
Trump later confirmed Hicks tested positive.
“Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!” he said on Twitter.
Update: Cmdr. Sean Conley (USN), physician to the President, released the following memo. He confirmed that the President and First Lady tested positive for the coronavirus.
“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,” he wrote.
“The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country’s greatest medical professionals and institutions. 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,” Conley added.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden have tested negative for COVID-19, their primary care physician, Dr. Kevin O’Conner, confirmed.
2nd Update: Conley released another memo later on Friday.
“Following PCR-confirmation of the President’s diagnosis, as a precautionary measure he received a single 8 gram dose of Regeneron’s polyclonal antibody cocktail. He completed the infusion without incident. In addition to the poly clonal antibodies, the President has been taking zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin,” he wrote.
“As of this afternoon the President remains fatigued but in good spirits. 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,” Conley added. “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.”
Trump traveled to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday afternoon where he will undergo several tests.
“President Trump remains in good spirits, has mild symptoms, and has been working throughout the day. 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, ” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany wrote in a released statement.
The President also recorded a short video before leaving for Walter Reed Hospital thanking Americans for their support and to ensure them he and the First Lady were doing well.