Timeline of Trump's medical treatment for coronavirus
WASHINGTON (AP) — Timeline of President Donald Trump's medical care since he was diagnosed with coronavirus. It isn't known how Trump became infected; several people who were in close contact with the president in the days before his diagnosis also have coronavirus infections.
THURSDAY
— White House aide Hope Hicks Hicks tests positive for the coronavirus. She was among those who accompanied Trump to Minnesota for a fundraiser on Wednesday; she felt ill on the return trip and isolated herself aboard Air Force One.
— Trump flies to his Bedminster resort in New Jersey for a private fundraiser. White House officials say they learned of Hicks' positive test soon after Trump boarded the Marine One helicopter to start his journey to New Jersey.
— Trump announces in an evening interview on Fox News that he and the first lady are being tested for the coronavirus. He tweets that they will “begin our quarantine process!” It was revealed later that Trump had actually tested positive on a rapid coronavirus test when he returned to the White House and was awaiting the results of a more sensitive lab test.
FRIDAY
— Trump tweets shortly before 1 a.m. that he and the first lady have tested positive for the virus and “will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately.”
— Dr. Sean Conley, physician to the president, releases a statement that the president and first lady Melania Trump “are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”
— White House officials say Trump and his wife are experiencing mild symptoms.
— Trump's doctor reports that Trump is experiencing “fatigue" but “in good spirits” and Melania Trump has a mild cough and headache.
— Trump receives a dose of Regeneron's experimental antibody drug. He's also been taking zinc, vitamin D, an antacid, melatonin and a daily aspirin.
— Trump flies by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Medical Center. White House officials say Trump will remain there for a “few days.”
— Trump releases a video on Twitter, saying, “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.”
— At the military hospital, Trump gets remdesivir, an antiviral drug.
SATURDAY
— Doctors say the president is doing well, is fever-free and isn’t having difficulty breathing. Conley dodges questions about whether Trump had been given oxygen at any point and reveals that Trump had some symptoms on Thursday — mild cough, stuffy nose and fatigue.
— White House chief of staff Mark Meadows tells reporters that some of Trump’s vital signs were “very concerning” Friday and that the next 48 hours would be critical in his care.
— Trump releases new hospital video, says he’s feeling better and “I think I’ll be back soon.”
— Trump’s doctor says in a health update that medical team is “cautiously optimistic,” but also notes that the president is “not yet out of the woods.”
SUNDAY
— Conley discloses that Trump was given a steroid dexamethasone Saturday after his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days, but he “has continued to improve.” He said Trump had a high fever and a blood oxygen level below 94% on Friday and during another episode on Saturday. He confirms that the president was given oxygen early Friday.
— Trump gets a second dose of remdesivir and doctors say he could be discharged as early as Monday to continue his treatment.
— Trump releases a video and then briefly leaves Walter Reed hospital, riding in a vehicle to greet supporters gathered outside.
MONDAY
— Trump tweets that he's leaving hospital: “Feeling really good!”
— Conley gives an update, saying Trump “may not entirely be out of the woods yet” but meets the criteria for leaving the hospital. Trump has received the third of five planned doses of remdesivir. While providing other details, Conley wouldn't discuss the results of Trump's lung scans or what other medications he's on. He also wouldn't detail the isolation restrictions for Trump, who is still contagious.