coronavirus

CT Officials Offer Prayers, Hopes After President, First Lady Test Positive for COVID-19

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President Donald Trump announced early Friday morning that he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus.

President Donald Trump briefly left Walter Reed Medical Center in his motorcade to salute at supporters outside the hospital. Trump was admitted to Walter Reed for COVID treatment on Friday. Doctors have said the president is doing “well” and could return to the White House as early as Monday.

Officials in Connecticut have been responding and offering their prayers.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Trump family,” Gov. Ned Lamont said during a news conference held Friday morning to sign legislation on absentee ballots.

Lamont said the president and first lady contracting COVID-19 is a "wake up call" and a reminder of how cautious we need to be.

The governor also Tweeted, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the President and First Lady, who have tested positive for COVID. Another reminder that this is a highly contagious virus and we must not let our guard down."

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy Tweeted, “There will be a lot to say about this, but let’s start here: The President and the First Lady have a serious, deadly virus and we should all hope for a full recovery.”

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal Tweeted that the news is shocking and wished the president and first lady a speedy recovery.

"This news is shocking. I wish the President, First Lady, & everyone in the White House a speedy recovery. If this disease can reach the White House, it can infect anyone in any house. Please remember to wear masks, physically distance, & follow other public health guidelines," he Tweeted.

“I am sending well wishes to the President and First Lady for a healthy and speedy recovery,” U.S. Rep. John Larson said in a statement.

"I wouldn’t wish this virus on anyone. Praying for the President, his family and staff for negative results and a quick recovery," U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes Tweeted.

Hayes herself tested positive for COVID-19 in September and spoke exclusively with NBC Connecticut this week about what she has been going through.

The fifth district congressional representative became ill after a staffer tested positive. And it comes four months after her husband successfully fought COVID-19.

“I am a healthy woman. I don’t have asthma or breathing issues so to just experience this and have to think about my breathing and pace my activities is scary,” Hayes said.

Rep. Jahana Hayes talked with NBC Connecticut about how she is doing after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

“I wish the President and First Lady and any White House staff who may have been infected a speedy recovery,” U.S. Rep. Jim Himes said in a statement.

“COVID-19 is a serious disease, and I wish President Trump and the First Lady a speedy and full recovery,” U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney said in a statement Friday morning.

“I am wishing the President and First Lady a speedy recovery and praying for the entire White House team as we continue to combat this pandemic,” U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said in a statement.

J.R. Romano, chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, said Connecticut Republicans are wishing the president and first lady a speedy recovery and this highlights the importance of getting a vaccine to the American people as quickly as it's safe to do so.

Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton Tweeted out prayers for the president and first lady.

"We wish Mr. and Mrs. Trump a full recovery. This is a terrible disease, and one more case anywhere is one too many. Masks and distancing work, Connecticut. Let’s all stay safe." the Connecticut Democrats Twitter account Tweeted.

"Wishing the President and First Lady along with their staff the best as they fight and battle COVID-19. It has wreaked havoc on so many people and their families. Our country must get this terrible virus under control," state Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff Tweeted.

Trump’s positive test comes just hours after the White House announced that senior aide Hope Hicks, a Greenwich native, had come down with the virus after traveling with the president several times this week.

“All the best to her and her family,” Lamont said.  

The governor said he and Hope's father were selectmen together in Greenwich.

She is the closest aide to President Donald Trump to test positive for the virus.

Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and looked to be in good health. Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has now killed more than 205,000 people nationwide.

In a memorandum, the president’s physician said that the president and first lady “are both well at this time" and “plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”

“Rest assured I expect the President to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering," he added.

NBC Connecticut and Associated Press
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