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| Trump's Covid contact: Who the president met before his diagnosis | Trump's Covid contact: Who the president met before his diagnosis |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| President Donald Trump's coronavirus diagnosis comes after a busy week running his administration and campaigning ahead of the 3 November election, during which time he has interacted with many high-level officials. | President Donald Trump's coronavirus diagnosis comes after a busy week running his administration and campaigning ahead of the 3 November election, during which time he has interacted with many high-level officials. |
| The president announced positive test results for himself and his wife, Melania, in a tweet on Friday, at around 01:00 local time (5:00 GMT). | The president announced positive test results for himself and his wife, Melania, in a tweet on Friday, at around 01:00 local time (5:00 GMT). |
| This followed a positive diagnosis for his close aide, Hope Hicks, who reportedly started feeling symptoms on Wednesday and tested positive the next day. | This followed a positive diagnosis for his close aide, Hope Hicks, who reportedly started feeling symptoms on Wednesday and tested positive the next day. |
| It takes five days on average from the moment a person is infected for symptoms to start showing, but it can be much longer, so the World Health Organization advises a 14-day isolation period. | It takes five days on average from the moment a person is infected for symptoms to start showing, but it can be much longer, so the World Health Organization advises a 14-day isolation period. |
| The peak infectious period for the virus is the day before symptoms appear and the two days after, although a large proportion of people never show any symptoms at all. | The peak infectious period for the virus is the day before symptoms appear and the two days after, although a large proportion of people never show any symptoms at all. |
| The White House says it has begun contact-tracing. Here is a look at some of the people we know Mr Trump has crossed paths with in the last week. | The White House says it has begun contact-tracing. Here is a look at some of the people we know Mr Trump has crossed paths with in the last week. |
| Saturday, September 26: The Supreme Court pick | Saturday, September 26: The Supreme Court pick |
| President Trump announced his Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, in front of a crowd of about 200 people on the White House lawn. | President Trump announced his Supreme Court pick, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, in front of a crowd of about 200 people on the White House lawn. |
| On Saturday evening, President Trump held a rally at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania. | On Saturday evening, President Trump held a rally at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania. |
| Since the afternoon's ceremony, Judge Barrett has held meetings with various senators - including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell - ahead of her much-anticipated confirmation hearing, which is due to take place on 12 October. | Since the afternoon's ceremony, Judge Barrett has held meetings with various senators - including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell - ahead of her much-anticipated confirmation hearing, which is due to take place on 12 October. |
| Mrs Barrett said on Friday that she had tested negative. On the same day, Utah Senator Mike Lee, who is on the judiciary committee and attended the ceremony, tested positive. It is unknown when he caught it. | Mrs Barrett said on Friday that she had tested negative. On the same day, Utah Senator Mike Lee, who is on the judiciary committee and attended the ceremony, tested positive. It is unknown when he caught it. |
| Sunday, September 27: Golf and a veterans' event | Sunday, September 27: Golf and a veterans' event |
| The president played golf at his club in Potomac Falls, Virginia, on Sunday morning and led a White House reception for the families of military veterans in the evening. | The president played golf at his club in Potomac Falls, Virginia, on Sunday morning and led a White House reception for the families of military veterans in the evening. |
| Monday, September 28: The Covid briefing | Monday, September 28: The Covid briefing |
| On Monday, President Trump held a news briefing - giving an update on his administration's coronavirus testing strategy - in the White House Rose Garden. | On Monday, President Trump held a news briefing - giving an update on his administration's coronavirus testing strategy - in the White House Rose Garden. |
| It was attended by Vice-President Mike Pence, Health Secretary Alex Azar, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and the chief executive of Abbott Laboratories, Robert Ford, among others. | It was attended by Vice-President Mike Pence, Health Secretary Alex Azar, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, and the chief executive of Abbott Laboratories, Robert Ford, among others. |
| Also on Monday, Trump viewed a model of a new pickup truck - being built at a factory in Ohio - on the White House lawn. Representatives from the company, Lordstown Motors, attended, as well as two members of Congress. | Also on Monday, Trump viewed a model of a new pickup truck - being built at a factory in Ohio - on the White House lawn. Representatives from the company, Lordstown Motors, attended, as well as two members of Congress. |
| The White House regularly tests officials who come in contact with the president. However, US media has noted that mask-wearing and social distancing around him is less common, suggesting that people may be too reliant on the testing system, which is not foolproof. | The White House regularly tests officials who come in contact with the president. However, US media has noted that mask-wearing and social distancing around him is less common, suggesting that people may be too reliant on the testing system, which is not foolproof. |
| Tuesday, September 29: Debate day | Tuesday, September 29: Debate day |
| The president faced his election rival, Joe Biden, at their first face-to-face debate in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday evening. | The president faced his election rival, Joe Biden, at their first face-to-face debate in Cleveland, Ohio on Tuesday evening. |
| President Trump flew there on his presidential plane, Air Force One, alongside his wife, adult children and multiple aides. Many were seen not wearing masks when boarding or disembarking, according to US media reports. | President Trump flew there on his presidential plane, Air Force One, alongside his wife, adult children and multiple aides. Many were seen not wearing masks when boarding or disembarking, according to US media reports. |
| Also on the plane were: White House Chief of staff Mark Meadows; campaign strategist Jason Miller; policy adviser Stephen Miller; Robert C O'Brien, the national security adviser who tested positive for the virus in July; and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan. | Also on the plane were: White House Chief of staff Mark Meadows; campaign strategist Jason Miller; policy adviser Stephen Miller; Robert C O'Brien, the national security adviser who tested positive for the virus in July; and Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan. |
| After landing, the president's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, was spotted getting into a staff van with Ms Hicks, the New York Times reports. | After landing, the president's campaign manager, Bill Stepien, was spotted getting into a staff van with Ms Hicks, the New York Times reports. |
| The debate was held at Cleveland Clinic's Health Education Campus, a shared facility with Case Western Reserve University. | The debate was held at Cleveland Clinic's Health Education Campus, a shared facility with Case Western Reserve University. |
| The organisers, the Commission on Presidential Debates, brought in numerous Covid-era safety precautions. There were no handshakes between the two candidates and everyone attending - including the 80 or so audience members - was tested before the event and asked to wear masks throughout. | The organisers, the Commission on Presidential Debates, brought in numerous Covid-era safety precautions. There were no handshakes between the two candidates and everyone attending - including the 80 or so audience members - was tested before the event and asked to wear masks throughout. |
| In the run-up, Mr Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, posted a picture of herself backstage in a mask, alongside her sister Tiffany, sister-in-law Lara and mother-in-law, Melania. | In the run-up, Mr Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka, posted a picture of herself backstage in a mask, alongside her sister Tiffany, sister-in-law Lara and mother-in-law, Melania. |
| However, during the event itself, Ivanka Trump and other family members, including siblings Don Jr and Eric, were pictured mask-less. Moderator Chris Wallace has since told Fox News that they were offered masks by event staff but they waved them away. | However, during the event itself, Ivanka Trump and other family members, including siblings Don Jr and Eric, were pictured mask-less. Moderator Chris Wallace has since told Fox News that they were offered masks by event staff but they waved them away. |
| Observers said those on Mr Biden's side of the room kept their masks on. | Observers said those on Mr Biden's side of the room kept their masks on. |
| Mr Trump and Mr Biden kept a distance during the debate, at podiums on opposite sides of the stage. | Mr Trump and Mr Biden kept a distance during the debate, at podiums on opposite sides of the stage. |
| When the candidates were greeted by the wives on stage afterwards, Jill Biden wore a mask and Melania Trump didn't. | When the candidates were greeted by the wives on stage afterwards, Jill Biden wore a mask and Melania Trump didn't. |
| At a separate campaign event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Vice-President Mike Pence said he had been in the Oval Office with President Trump earlier that day. It is thought to be their last in-person meeting. On Friday, Mr Pence said he and his wife had tested negative, as have Mr and Mrs Biden. | At a separate campaign event in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, Vice-President Mike Pence said he had been in the Oval Office with President Trump earlier that day. It is thought to be their last in-person meeting. On Friday, Mr Pence said he and his wife had tested negative, as have Mr and Mrs Biden. |
| President Trump and much of his entourage flew back to Washington DC on Tuesday night. | President Trump and much of his entourage flew back to Washington DC on Tuesday night. |
| Wednesday, September 30: A fundraiser and a rally | Wednesday, September 30: A fundraiser and a rally |
| The day after the debate, President Trump was straight back into campaign business, flying to Minnesota. Ms Hicks was among those accompanying him. | The day after the debate, President Trump was straight back into campaign business, flying to Minnesota. Ms Hicks was among those accompanying him. |
| He attended a closed-door fundraiser at a private home in Minneapolis, and he later held a large rally in at an airport in Duluth, in front of a crowd of thousands. Few wore masks but there was distance between them and the president. | He attended a closed-door fundraiser at a private home in Minneapolis, and he later held a large rally in at an airport in Duluth, in front of a crowd of thousands. Few wore masks but there was distance between them and the president. |
| Minnesota Congressman Kurt Daudt tweeted a picture of himself close to Mr Trump, with neither wearing masks. | Minnesota Congressman Kurt Daudt tweeted a picture of himself close to Mr Trump, with neither wearing masks. |
| On Wednesday evening, Mr Trump and various aides returned to Washington DC on Air Force One again. | On Wednesday evening, Mr Trump and various aides returned to Washington DC on Air Force One again. |
| Ms Hicks, who was feeling unwell, was isolated in a separate cabin, according to US media. She reportedly disembarked from the back of the plane, instead of the front alongside the other passengers. | Ms Hicks, who was feeling unwell, was isolated in a separate cabin, according to US media. She reportedly disembarked from the back of the plane, instead of the front alongside the other passengers. |
| Thursday, October 1: More fundraising | Thursday, October 1: More fundraising |
| President Trump flew to his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey for a private fundraiser. | President Trump flew to his Bedminster golf resort in New Jersey for a private fundraiser. |
| Several aides who were in proximity to Ms Hicks scrapped their plans to accompany the president, according to the Associated Press. | Several aides who were in proximity to Ms Hicks scrapped their plans to accompany the president, according to the Associated Press. |
| Kayleigh McEnany, the White House press secretary, who had travelled with Ms Hicks the previous day, held a briefing for reporters at the White House on Thursday, without mentioning her colleague's test and without wearing a mask. She has since said she did not know about the diagnosis. | |
| That night, in pre-taped remarks to the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City, held virtually this year, he said that "the end of the pandemic is in sight". | That night, in pre-taped remarks to the annual Al Smith dinner in New York City, held virtually this year, he said that "the end of the pandemic is in sight". |
| Mr Trump later announced in a phone evening interview on Fox News that he and the first lady were being tested for the virus. | Mr Trump later announced in a phone evening interview on Fox News that he and the first lady were being tested for the virus. |
| Though it is not known how many of his supporters he came into contact with in recent days, he told Fox presenter Sean Hannity that people were always wanting to get close to him. "They want to hug you, and they want to kiss you," he said. | Though it is not known how many of his supporters he came into contact with in recent days, he told Fox presenter Sean Hannity that people were always wanting to get close to him. "They want to hug you, and they want to kiss you," he said. |
| Friday, October 2: The announcement | Friday, October 2: The announcement |
| President Trump announced that he and Mrs Trump had tested positive around 01:00 on Friday in a tweet, adding that they will begin the "quarantine and recovery process immediately". | President Trump announced that he and Mrs Trump had tested positive around 01:00 on Friday in a tweet, adding that they will begin the "quarantine and recovery process immediately". |
| Just before 11:00, his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, told reporters the president has "mild symptoms" but remains in "good spirits". | Just before 11:00, his chief of staff, Mark Meadows, told reporters the president has "mild symptoms" but remains in "good spirits". |
| Mrs Trump tweeted to say she also had mild symptoms. | Mrs Trump tweeted to say she also had mild symptoms. |
| Test results | Test results |
| So far, the vast majority of released test results have been negative. No-one can be sure who caught the virus first among these leading US political figures and their relatives, or who passed it to whom, or where they caught it. | So far, the vast majority of released test results have been negative. No-one can be sure who caught the virus first among these leading US political figures and their relatives, or who passed it to whom, or where they caught it. |
| Thursday | Thursday |
| Hope Hicks, president's advisor - positive | Hope Hicks, president's advisor - positive |
| Friday | Friday |
| Donald Trump, president - positive | Donald Trump, president - positive |
| Melania Trump, first lady - positive | Melania Trump, first lady - positive |
| Joe Biden, presidential candidate - negative | Joe Biden, presidential candidate - negative |
| Jill Biden, wife of Joe Biden - negative | Jill Biden, wife of Joe Biden - negative |
| Mike Pence, vice-president - negative | Mike Pence, vice-president - negative |
| Karen Pence, second lady - negative | Karen Pence, second lady - negative |
| Kamala Harris, vice-presidential candidate - negative | Kamala Harris, vice-presidential candidate - negative |
| Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris - negative | Doug Emhoff, husband of Kamala Harris - negative |
| Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court nominee - negative | Amy Coney Barrett, Supreme Court nominee - negative |
| Mike Pompeo, secretary of state - negative | Mike Pompeo, secretary of state - negative |
| Steve Mnuchin, treasury secretary - negative | Steve Mnuchin, treasury secretary - negative |
| Alex Azar, secretary of health and human services - negative | Alex Azar, secretary of health and human services - negative |
| William Barr, attorney general - negative | William Barr, attorney general - negative |
| Ivanka Trump, president's daughter - negative | Ivanka Trump, president's daughter - negative |
| Jared Kushner, president's son-in-law - negative | Jared Kushner, president's son-in-law - negative |
| Mike Lee, Utah senator on judiciary committee -positive | Mike Lee, Utah senator on judiciary committee -positive |