Mike Pence tests NEGATIVE for Covid after Trump and Melania confirmed to have virus
MIKE Pence tested negative for coronavirus after President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania were both confirmed to have it.
On Friday morning, Pence's press secretary announced the news on Twitter after it emerged that Trump had contracted the deadly virus.
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"As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day," Devin O'Malley wrote.
"This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19.
"Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery."
Latest on Trump's positive test for Covid:
- The president could be removed from the ballot if he's incapacitated
- China has mocked Trump saying he paid the price for the pandemic
- Sick trolls have targetted the president saying "they hope he dies"
- UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wished the president well
His negative result comes after Trump, 74, revealed that his senior aide Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID on Wednesday.
"Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible!" Trump wrote.
"The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!"
Trump's positive test has thrown his re-election campaign into chaos – with just one month to go before the US presidential election.
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19," he confirmed in another tweet. "We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
Pence sent his well wishes to the president and his wife on Twitter writing: "Karen and I send our love and prayers to our dear friends President [Donald Trump] and Melania Trump.
"We join millions across America praying for their full and swift recovery. God bless you President Trump & our wonderful First Lady Melania."
But Trump's positive test means he will no longer be able to campaign at what is a crucial time during the election campaign.
Trump is behind in the polls and was judged by many to have lost the opening TV debate against Democrat challenger Joe Biden on Tuesday.
The pair were set to go head-to-head again in Miami on October 15, which is around the time his two-week isolation period will end.
At 74, the President is five times more likely to be hospitalized from the virus and 90 times more likely to die than a patient in their 20s, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) figures show.
According to their statistics, coronavirus patients between the ages of 65 and 74 are five times more likely to end up in hospital than someone aged 18 to 29.
Patients the same as at Trump have a 90 times greater risk of dying compared to younger people who test positive for the virus.
Melania today said both she and Donald are “feeling good” after their positive test.
The 50-year-old said the pair are now quarantining at home and have postponed all upcoming engagements.
Sean Conley, Physician to the President, said the pair are "both well at this time" and will remain at home within the White House during their recovery.
"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 a 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."
Doctors have warned that Trump's weight may cause coronavirus complications, however.
At 17st 6lbs, the President is overweight, though Mr Conley told reporters in June that he is healthy.
He is 6ft 3in, which means he is just over the threshold for obesity.
Before he revealed the news on Twitter, Trump confirmed to Fox News' Sean Hannity on Thursday that Hicks, 31, did have the virus.
Trump said Hicks "did test positive," and said he himself "just heard about it."
"We spent a lot of time together," he told the Fox News host.
Hicks served as White House communications director from September 2017 to February 2018 before returning to Washington earlier this year as “counselor to the president."
Hicks and Trump travelled together at least two days this week – including to and from the first presidential debate in Cleveland, Ohio, on Tuesday and to a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday.
She began having mild symptoms when traveling back from that rally onboard Air Force One on Wednesday, according to reports.
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