President Donald Trump broke the news last night via Twitter.
Update at 5:30 PM, Friday October 2: 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.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS 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 HCPLive 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, ‪@potus & 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.