Next 48 hours 'critical' for Donald Trump in coronavirus battle, White House says, as president confirms he is 'feeling well'

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  • October 3, 2020
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Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period on Friday and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care as he battles coronavirus, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows has said.

The comments came after it was revealed that Mr Trump was reportedly given oxygen on Friday morning at the White House before he was transported to a military hospital, although staff insisted he had only mild symptoms.

Mr Trump’s doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre painted a rosy picture of the president’s health during a press conference on Saturday, while Mr Trump also tweeted to say he was “feeling well”.

The president’s physician, Dr Sean Conley, said his medical team was “extremely happy” with Mr Trump’s progress, adding he was fever-free, not on oxygen and was not having difficulty breathing.

Another medic said the president was in “exceptionally good spirits” and said Mr Trump told doctors on Saturday: “I feel like I could walk out of here today.”

The medical team looking after Mr Trump at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre (AFP via Getty Images)

But reports in the US gave a less positive picture, with sources telling the Associated Press that some of the president’s vital signs on Friday were “very concerning”.

Speaking at the briefing, Dr Conley had refused to confirm whether Mr Trump had received oxygen at any time during his hospital stay, but a source said the president was given oxygen at the White House on Friday before going to hospital.

Mr Meadows said the next 48 hours will be “critical” in terms of Mr Trump’s care.

“We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery,” the White House chief of staff said.

But he added: “The president is doing very well. He is up and about and asking for documents to review. The doctors are very pleased with his vital signs. I have met with him on multiple occasions today on a variety of issues.”

White House doctors said the president began exhibiting “clinical indications” of Covid-19 on Thursday afternoon, earlier than previously known.

Boris Johnson sure Donald Trump will come through coronavirus ‘very well’

The president tweeted on Saturday: “Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!!

“Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!”

The medical team could not say when he was expected to be discharged, but Dr Conley said Mr Trump’s symptoms, including a cough and nasal congestion, “are now resolving and improving”.

First lady Melania Trump also has tested positive for coronavirus and is recovering at home.

The president was airlifted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre on Friday, less than 24 hours after he tested positive for coronavirus.

A White House spokeswoman had stressed the hospital stay was “out of an abundance of caution” and that the 74-year-old would work from the hospital’s presidential suite, which is equipped to allow him to continue his official duties.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is sure the president will “come through” his treatment “very well”.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday morning, Mr Johnson said he rang the White House on Friday night.

“I think obviously everybody’s wishing him and Melania the very best and hoping that they recover speedily and I’ve no doubt that he will, he’ll make a very strong recovery,” the Prime Minister said.

When asked if he had any advice for Mr Trump, Mr Johnson added: “I think that he will be doing exactly what the doctors tell him to do and I’m sure he will be having the best care he can possibly get.”

Mr Trump walked out of the White House wearing a mask before boarding Marine One on Friday evening, and in a video on Twitter said: “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.”

Donald Trump arriving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre (REUTERS)

He later tweeted: “Going well, I think! Thank you to all. Love!!!”

The US has been left reeling by the unfolding events surrounding Mr Trump’s health troubles, with the presidential election only four weeks away.

The president announced his diagnosis in a tweet in the early hours of Friday, following a positive test from one of his closest aides, Hope Hicks.

First lady Melania Trump has also tested positive and has a “mild cough and headache”, according to the doctor, but the remainder of the first family, including son Barron, who lives at the White House, have tested negative.

The president’s re-election campaign said all events featuring Mr Trump and members of his family would either be postponed or go online, but that vice president Mike Pence would resume campaigning as he had tested negative.

Mr Trump’s Covid-19 diagnosis is the latest among world leaders, with Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier also falling ill.

This story is being updated.