WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has tested negative for the novelcoronavirus, his physician said Saturday, following concerns over hisexposure to a disease that has paralyzed the globe.
Trump agreed to the test after coming in contact with several members of aBrazilian presidential delegation visiting his Florida resort who havesince tested positive for the virus.
“This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative,” thepresident´s physician Sean Conley said in a memo.
“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation at Mar-a-Lago,the President remains symptom-free,” he said.
Trump, 73, had dismissed concerns over his exposure to the disease whichhas killed at least 51 Americans and upended the rhythm of daily lifeacross the country, with millions working from home and schools shuttered.
New York, the most populous US city, saw its first coronavirus death onSaturday, as store shelves were stripped bare after days of panic buying.
“I have been through Hurricane Sandy… through 9/11, I have never seenshopping like this,” said Larry Grossman, manager of a Manhattansupermarket.
Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday announced a further restriction ontravel to the United States, saying a travel ban imposed on Europeannations over the pandemic would be extended to the United Kingdom andIreland Tuesday.
Trump advised against non-essential travel, and said officials wereconsidering imposing travel restrictions within the United States.
“If you don´t have to travel, I wouldn´t do it,” Trump said at a WhiteHouse news conference. “We want this thing to end. We don´t want a lot ofpeople getting infected.”
Trump declared a national emergency on Friday in what critics say was along-delayed admission of the gravity of the crisis, freeing up some $40billion in disaster relief funds.
Late Friday, the US House of Representatives passed a bill — crafted byDemocrats in consultation with the Trump administration — to providebillions of dollars for free virus testing, emergency paid sick leave andfamily leave related to the epidemic.
Supported by Trump, it is expected to easily pass the Republican-controlledSenate next week.
News of Trump taking the test marked a further turning point, after days ofresistance to the suggestion.
– An end to hand-shaking –
The coronavirus pandemic has claimed more than 5,700 lives in some 137countries.
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Repeatedly attacked for sending out mixed signals on the health crisis, thepresident raised eyebrows on Friday when, contrary to medical advice, hewas seen shaking hands as he gathered his coronavirus response team at theWhite House.
On Saturday, he blamed habit — “people put their hand out… you don´tthink about it” — but said it would have to change.
“Maybe people shouldn´t be shaking hands for the long term,” said Trump, aself-declared germophobe, “because it does transmit flu and other things.”
Trump´s virus test came after not only contact with the Braziliandelegation, but also US lawmakers and political leaders who have gone intoself-quarantine over potential infection.
Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was on Saturdayawaiting results of a virus test after she came down with flu-likesymptoms. She reportedly attended an event in Florida with Trump on Mondayand flew back to Washington on Air Force One.
– A broader travel ban –
On Saturday a 30-day US ban took effect on all travel from the EU´sSchengen border-free zone, part of a global clampdown on travel to curtailthe virus.
Pence said the ban — which notably excluded Britain and Ireland — wouldinclude both countries as of midnight EST on Monday (0400 GMT on Tuesday).
“Americans in the UK or Ireland can come home. Legal (US) residents cancome home,” Pence said.
Trump also aimed a new jab at the US Federal Reserve, saying he wanted itto be “much more proactive” in moving to protect Americans from thewidespread economic dislocation caused by the pandemic.
But the president — wearing a navy blue USA cap — seemed otherwisesubdued during Saturday´s briefing, uncharacteristically offering praise toDemocrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Pelosi said she was “proud” to have reached an agreement on the reliefpackage after days of tense talks with the White House.
Trump also tweeted that he had a “nice conversation” with Canadian leaderJustin Trudeau and that it was “great to hear that his wonderful wifeSophie is doing very well.”
Trudeau has been telegoverning since his wife was diagnosed with COVID-19on Thursday. – APP / AFP
