By Nandini Krishnan
October 1st: Hope Hicks, counsellor to the president, shows a positive test result for COVID-19. The president and first lady announce they will go into quarantine awaiting test results.
October 2nd: Donald and Melania Trump via Twitter reveal that they have both tested positive for COVID-19. No details regarding their previous tests or contact tracing are revealed.
That night he is transferred to the Water Reed military hospital in Maryland and receives an experimental treatment of different antibodies. He also completes the first dose of a five day course of remdesivir (experimental corona treatment). Trump is said to have had a fever between the 1st and 2nd according to the white house physician.
Meanwhile, several other close contacts reveal positive test results. Most notably, Kellyanne Conway, former white house advisor, and Senator of Utah, Mike Lee.
October 3rd: The White House Physician, Dr Sean Conley, says he is happy with the progress being made. Off camera, Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, reveals that Trump’s symptoms are “very concerning”. The contradictions create a media frenzy. Trump also reveals a video stating that he is doing well.
October 4th: Trump leaves the medical centre in an SUV with the to wave to the supporters who were outside. He caught a lot of flak because the move put the secret security agents with him under great risk.
Dr. Conley says that Trump had low blood oxygen during two instances. He was being treated for this with dexamethasone, a drug normally used for those in the later stages of the infection.
October 5th: Trump is discharged from the medical centre and Dr Conley says that he will continue to receive care while in the White House, and can return home, but also advises that he is not entirely “out of the woods” yet.
He also leaves this controversial tweet, one of his several attempts to minimize the impact of the virus. He also took off his mask while saluting the Marine One and posing for pictures.
October 7th: Dr Conley reveals that Trump has been symptom free for more than a day and has developed antibodies against the virus. Trump also works in the Oval Office for the first time since leaving the medical centre. He also proclaims that Remdesivir is a cure for the virus and will be made free for all Americans.
October 8th: Trump completes his treatment for COVID-19 and is said to be fit to return to public engagements 10 days from his diagnosis on Saturday, October 10th.
October 10th: Trump returns, maskless, with his first public event after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Giving a speech from the White House balcony, he thanked his supporters for their “prayers” and said he was feeling great. A White House memo also stated that he was no longer able to transmit the disease given the current guidelines.
October 12th: Dr Conley states that Trump has tested negative for the virus for multiple days.
October 15th: In a talk revealing her experience with the virus, Melania Trump says that son Barron, also tested positive for the virus, but there is no indication as to when this happened (although she did reveal it was after she and her husband had tested positive).
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