Contagion Staff

President Trump is being transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for precautionary measures after symptoms related to COVID-19 have worsened, according to reports. 

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have received PCR test-confirmed diagnoses for SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a memo from Sean P. Conley, DO, FACEP, Physician to the President.

 and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” President Trump tweeted last night at 12:54am.

With this news, many questions arise starting with their current medical conditions.

President Trump was described "fatigued but in good spirits" in a memo released on Friday afternoon. Conley described his treatment regimen as a single 8g dose of an investigative polyclonal antibody cocktail from Regeneron. Additionally, he has been administered zinc, vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin, and a daily aspirin.

The Regeneron antibody cocktail provided to Trump was under the company's compassionate use program, according to a statement.

"The company’s current priority is to maintain a sufficient supply of REGN-COV2 in order to conduct rigorous clinical trials that fully evaluate its safety and efficacy," Regeneron wrote Friday. "In addition to the clinical trial supply and product being manufactured under an agreement with the U.S. government, there is limited product available for compassionate use requests that have been approved under rare, exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis."

In a podcast interview with sister publication 

and the American Lung Association (ALA) this week, Anthony Fauci, MD, highlighted promise of investigative monoclonal antibodies from Regeneron. Fauci highlighted the antibodies as promising for inpatient, outpatient, at-home, and nursing home facility COVID-19 care—an agent that could prevent patients from becoming hospitalized.

“The one thing that we need to do is get a bunch more interventions for early infection to prevent people from going on to needing hospitalization,” he explained.

The First Lady was described as currently presenting symptoms of a mild cough and headache. The remainder of the First Family has tested negative for SARS-CoV-2.

Conley said earlier today they will remain at the White House.

“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,” Conley said in the statement. “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.”

Beyond the initial announcement, Trump did not make any further statements, but the First Lady did.

“As too many Americans have done this year, 

 & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together,” the first lady tweeted.

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President Donald Trump broke the news last night via Twitter.

President Trump and First Lady Test Positive for COVID-19

Hello. I’m Kevin Kunzmann, managing editor of Contagion, here with your COVID-19 update for the end of this week, of June 19.

 showed African American men were more likely to know someone infected by coronavirus, had a greater knowledge disparity of how the virus spread, and were more likely to be exposed to the virus than white counterparts.

A team of investigators conducted an online survey between March 29 and April 13. There were 5198 total US adult respondents, compromised of almost equal men and women, and representation from white, African American, and Hispanic respondents. 

Overall, African American respondents were more likely to report COVID-19 infection by a mean 3.5 percentage points  than white respondents.

Men of all ethnicities were also more likely than women to report COVID-19 infection, by a mean 3.2 percentage points. 

Looking at these findings, the team saw a correlation between behaviors and knowledge, as well as confirmation in racial disparities in the pandemic.

 announced this week it is entering a phase 2/3 trial for its investigational therapy, PTC299, for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.

The oral medication is a novel dual-mechanism agent designed to treat viral replication and uncontrolled inflammatory response.

This trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-national study. There will be 2 stages initiating in the US, with plans to also conduct research among patients in Spain, Brazil, and Australia.

According to the company, the oral, small molecule tablet inhibits the DHODH cellular enzyme, which is used to produce the RNA building blocks for the production of SARS-CoV-2.

In addition, the investigational molecule has previously demonstrated potent inhibition of viral replication in SARS-CoV-2 cell based assays. 

 has declined sharply during the pandemic, according to a review of the Michigan Care Improvement Registry.

Investigators from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Immunization Action Coalition, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia reviewed the vaccine up-to-date status for a point in time in May compared with points in time in May 2016-2019.

Stay-at-home orders, such as that ordered in Michigan on March 23 to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, have hampered accessibility to routine vaccination services. Telehealth has become more prominent avenue for addressing many health care needs during the pandemic, but the drop in vaccination coverage highlights the need to accommodate in-person visits for those health care services that can’t be provided remotely.

Priorities, as they relate to the allocation of resources and the stress put on common health scares, are currently a bit broken by the pandemic. But institutions are aimed at resolving confused for a public trying to play a role in streamlining emergent care for those who truly need it.

For these stories, interviews, and more in COVID-19 coverage, be sure to visit us at ContagionLive.com. For now, I’m Kevin Kunzmann with Contagion. Thank you for watching.

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A June 19, 2020 recap of the biggest headlines in pandemic research and response.

Contagion Live News Network: How COVID-19 Affects Races Differently

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Contagion has launched a global Outbreak Monitor that allows users to visualize occurrences of infectious diseases, such as Zika and Yellow Fever, on a local, regional, national and international level.
 

Contagion Staff

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