A White House memo released Thursday afternoon revealed that President Donald Trump tested negative for COVID-19 for a second time.
The memo, sent from Trump’s physician Sean P. Conley, detailed the testing method and results of the coronavirus test, which the president took Thursday morning.
“This morning, the president was tested again for COVID-19, using a new, rapid point-of-care test capability. He is healthy and without symptoms. Sample collection took just one minute and results were reported back in 15 minutes. The President tested negative for COVID-19.”
In mid-March, Trump vowed to be tested for the rapidly emerging virus because questions were looming about his health. The president had been in close contact with several dignitaries and officials who tested positive for COVID-19, including Fabio Wajngarten, the press secretary for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
On March 14, he confirmed he had taken the test and was in the clear.
“I also took the test,” Trump said in the White House briefing room Saturday afternoon. “I decided I should based on the press conference yesterday people were asking that I take the test.”
At that time, the president, according to two people close to the White House, had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry. He wanted to appear in full control during the crisis and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance.
This week, the president spoke in no uncertain terms about the gravity of social distancing as a major form of mitigation in the wake of the widespread pandemic, which has now claimed the lives of more than 5,800 Americans.
“Each of us have to do what we all know is right,” he said flatly during Tuesday’s presser. “Every community is making fundamental changes as to how we live, work and interact ... It’s a matter of life and death, frankly.”
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