Donald Trump in quarantine after close aide Hope Hicks tests positive for coronavirus

Ms Hicks travelled with Mr Trump on Air Force One en-route to this week's presidential debate.

Hope Hicks, left, is seated across President Donald Trump inside Marine One as it lands on the South Lawn at the White House, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Hope Hicks, left, is seated across President Donald Trump inside Marine One as it lands on the South Lawn at the White House, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. Source: AP

US President Donald Trump says he is quarantining and awaiting COVID-19 test results after one of his close advisers, Hope Hicks, tested positive for the disease. 

"I just went for a test and we'll see what happens," he told Fox News on Thursday, saying he expected the results Thursday night or Friday.

He later tweeted that he and First Lady Melania Trump, who also got a COVID-19 test, have begun quarantining while they wait for their results.
Ms Hicks was traveling with Mr Trump on Air Force One just this Tuesday to fly to Cleveland for the first presidential debate with Democrat Joe Biden.

She was also with him on the Marine One helicopter Wednesday when he flew back to the White House after a rally in Minnesota.

Mr Trump says the United States has put the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more than 200,000 Americans, behind.

He rarely wears a mask, noting that he receives frequent testing.
However, his own health experts have often given less rosy assessments and he has been sharply criticised by some for holding large rallies where few supporters wear masks.

Asked about Ms Hicks, White House spokesman Judd Deere said "the president takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously."

Mr Deere said the White House takes care to follow procedures "for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the president is traveling."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction's restrictions on gathering limits.

If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at 

Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: 


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Published 2 October 2020 11:04am
Updated 2 October 2020 12:42pm
Source: AFP, SBS



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