President Donald Trump was treated with steroids Saturday after a second “transient” drop in oxygen levels, Dr. Sean Conley said at a White House briefing.
- “The president has continued to improve,” Conley said.
Conley said Trump had two “transient drops” in oxygen saturation levels. Conley said Trump had a high fever and an oxygen level below 94% before he was hospitalized on Friday.
Conley said President Trump is now on dexamethasone, a steroid that has been known to help treat the coronavirus.
- Researchers and the World Health Organization have suggested corticosteroids like dexamethasone only be used “in critically ill COVID-19 patients.”
When asked about why there were conflicting reports about the president’s health Saturday, Conley said: “I was trying to reflect the upbeat attitude” of the president’s team.
- Statements about concern were “misconstrued,” Conley said.
Conley said if everything stays as is, they will start the discharge plan to the White House “where he can continue his treatment.”
The doctors said President Trump could be released as early as Monday.
Trump drives by supporters outside Walter Reed
Multiple reporters captured video of President Trump inside a black suburban vehicle that drove by supporters outside Walter Reed hospital.
Trump says he’s learned more about COVID-19 since diagnosis
Trump tweeted a new video on Sunday, where he explained that he learned a lot about COVID-19.
- “I learned a lot about Covid. I learned it by really going to school. This is the real school. This isn’t the let’s-read-the-books school. And I get it, and I understand it and it’s a very interesting thing.”
Trump said he met with frontline workers, including nurses and soldiers ruing his time at Walter Reed.
Report: Trump didn’t disclose first positive COVID-19 test
The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday that Trump received a positive COVID-19 test Thursday morning — before he went a more thorough screening that revealed he had the virus.
- “As the virus spread among the people closest to him, Mr. Trump also asked one adviser not to disclose results of their own positive test,” according to WSJ.
Trump posts new video from Walter Reed
President Donald Trump updated everyone on his condition with a new video posted to Twitter.
“I came here, wasn’t feeling so well, I feel much better now. We’re working hard to get me all the way back. I have to get back because we still have to make America great again.”
Dr. Sean Conley, the president’s physician, wrote in a statement that Trump had “substantial” progress since he was diagnosed with COVID-19.
- “President Trump continues to do well,” Conley wrote. “He remains fever-free and off supplemental oxygen with a saturation level between 96 and 98%”
A critical 48 hours
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Saturday that remains the next 48 hours “will be critical” in his care as he battles the novel coronavirus,
- “We’re still not on a clear path yet to a full recovery,” Meadows said.
- Meadows told Reuters: “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,”
Meadow’s comments contradicted a previous statement from doctors — which included Navy Commander Dr. Sean Conley and others — that Trump didn’t need any supplemental oxygen and he remained in good spirits.
- “Thursday no oxygen. None at this moment. And yesterday with the team, while we were all here, he was not on oxygen,” Conley said, NBC News reports.
- Conley said Trump’s symptoms “are now resolving and improving.”
- “He’s in exceptionally good spirits,” said Sean Dooley, another doctor.
Multiple reports suggest Trump needed oxygen at the White House before he went to Walter Reed.
Trump campaign operates at ‘full speed’
Fox News reports that Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign remains at “full speed” even though the president is dealing with the novel coronavirus.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien tested positive for COVID-19 Friday. He is currently working remotely.
The Trump campaign said in a statement to the Deseret News that it will launch “Operation MAGA,” a new campaign strategy to support the president as he remains in the hospital. The Trump family and Vice President Mike Pence will make appearances for the president, the campaign said.
- “Operation MAGA will fire up the entire MAGA universe to keep President Trump’s campaign at full speed until our Commander-in-Chief returns to the campaign trail,” Bill Stepien, Trump 2020 campaign manager, said in a statement. “Vice President Mike Pence, the First Family, our coalitions, and our grassroots supporters will be out in full force to show the real enthusiasm behind the President’s re-election and to show we’re working as hard as he always does. We also encourage all of the President’s supporters to pick up the banner themselves by volunteering in our grassroots Army for Trump, flying their Trump flags, putting out more yard signs, and wearing their MAGA gear proudly.”
The campaign said Pence will appear in battleground states after the Salt Lake City debate Wednesday.
Kellyanne Conway tests positive for COVID-19
Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said Friday she tested positive for COVID-19, nearly 24 hours after President Trump tested positive for the virus.
- “Tonight I tested positive for COVID-19. My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I’m feeling fine. I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians.
- “As always, my heart is with everyone affected by this global pandemic.”
Trump takes remdesivir, other therapies:
White House physician Sean P. Conley said Friday that Trump was under remdesivir therapy, and that he was still in good condition. Conley said Trump did not need any supplemental oxygen.
- Earlier Friday night, reports said Trump took an experimental antibody cocktail before he was moved to Walter Reed Medical Center.
- Trump is also taking zinc, vitamin D, Pepcid, melatonin and a daily aspirin, STAT News reports.
President Trump speaks about COVID-19 diagnosis in video:
President Donald Trump released a new statement about his novel coronavirus diagnosis Friday in a video message.
- Trump said: “I’m going to Walter Reed Hospital, I think I’m doing very well but we’re going to make sure that things work out. The First Lady is doing very well.”