President Trump told reporters Tuesday that the White House physician did not see a reason for him to be tested for the coronavirus, adding, “It’s not a big deal to get tested.”
“I don’t think it’s a big deal. I would do it. I don’t feel that — any reason. I feel extremely good; I feel very good. But I guess it’s not a big deal to get tested and it’s something I would do. But again, spoke to the White House doctor — terrific guy, talented guy — he said he sees no reason to do it. There’s no symptoms, no anything.”
Trump added, “If there were, you people would be the first to know it, and you would maybe even tell me about it.”
On Monday evening, Vice President Mike Pence confirmed to reporters that neither he nor Trump had been tested for the COVID-19 virus, which White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham later confirmed in a statement.
“The President has not received COVID-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms,” Grisham said in a statement. “President Trump remains in excellent health, and his physician will continue to closely monitor him.”
The coronavirus has ravaged China since the beginning of 2020, with 500 million people being placed on lockdown. Approximately 80,750 people in the country have tested positive for the disease that originated in Wuhan, with over 3,100 deaths.
The virus has disrupted public affairs as it continues to spread. More than 700 cases and 26 deaths have been confirmed in the United States, so far. Globally, more than 114,000 people have been infected.
