Trump moved to military hospital, being given experimental COVID-19 drug

US President Donald Trump was moved to a military hospital on Friday as a precautionary measure about 17 hours after he and First Lady Melania Trump were diagnosed with COVID-19.

Trump posted a brief video to Twitter to thank supporters for their wishes. He noted, “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure that things work out.”

Trump was seen walking from the White House to a helicopter to fly to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said, Trump would be working at a special suite in the hospital “for the next few days” as a precautionary measure.

Trump was reported to have a mild fever. White House doctor Sean P. Conley said Trump was “fatigued, but in good spirits”.

Conley was quoted saying, “Trump has received an experimental treatment, Regeneron’s REGN-COV2. The drug is one of several experimental COVID-19 drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, which are used for treating a wide range of illnesses.

 US infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci is among those saying the technology has promise. Trump is also taking zinc, Vitamin D, famotidine, melatonin and a daily aspirin.”

There are concerns of the effect of COVID-19 on Trump, just a month before the presidential election. “Trump is at high risk because of his age and weight. He has remained in apparent good health during his time in office but is not known to exercise regularly or to follow a healthy diet,” Reuters reported.

“The Republican National Committee would choose a replacement nominee if Trump were to become incapacitated, but it is already too late in most states to change the names on the ballot. Some 2.9 million people have already voted, according to figures compiled by University of Florida professor Michael McDonald,”sources reported.

Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden had extended his wishes to Trump and Melania. Biden resumed campaigning on Friday, after testing negative for COVID-19.

In a campaign event in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Biden took a jibe at Trump, noting “Be patriotic. It’s not about being a tough guy. It’s about doing your part.