United States President Donald Trump tested negative Saturday for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Trump decided to test for the novel coronavirus after coming into close contact with the Brazilian president’s press secretary, Fábio Wajngarten, who tested positive for COVID-19. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said that he tested negative for the novel coronavirus on March 13. Trump had dined with Bolsonaro and Wajngarten at Mar-a-Lago.
“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the president remains symptom-free,” White House physician Sean Conley said in a statement.
VP Pence has not yet been tested
Vice President Mike Pence has not yet been tested for the novel coronavirus.
“I’m going to speak immediately after this press conference with White House physician’s office. Mrs. Pence and I would be more than happy to be tested,” Pence said on Saturday.
Actor Tom Hanks and NBA players Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell and Christian Wood have all tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also gone into self-isolation after his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for the virus.
Surgeon General calls for elective surgeries to be reconsidered in hospitals
US Surgeon General Jerome Adams urged for elective surgeries to be stopped amid concerns that US healthcare does not have enough beds to cater to the surge of COVID-19 cases.
Adams posted a tweet on Saturday that the healthcare system should consider stopping until they can “flatten the curve” – the curve referring to the spike of new cases in a short time.
Adams warned that elective surgeries may take time away from staff who could be working on COVID-19 patients.
Tents for testing set up in hospitals; retired doctors called
Hospitals nationwide are setting up triage tents, where the public can get tested for the novel coronavirus.
Healthcare centers are also calling on retired doctors to help out as many more COVID-19 patients are expected to be seeking treatment.
The head of the American College of Emergency Physicians, William Jaquis, expects a tremendous strain on the US health system, as the country is also facing flu season.
“We are in the middle of flu season, which means emergency departments are already strained. To make sure that everyone can get the care they need, it’s important to know when to go to the emergency department if you think you have COVID-19,” Jaquis said.
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