Washington (USA): US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he and his wife Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" Trump said in a tweet.
Soon after Trump's tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished the US first couple a speedy recovery.
"Wishing my friend @POTUS @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a quick recovery and good health," Modi said in a tweet.
Earlier, Trump had said that he and first lady Melania Trump are beginning a 'quarantine process' as they were awaiting the coronavirus test results after a top aide he spent substantial time with this week tested positive.
Trump had confirmed that Hope Hicks, one of his closest aides, had tested positive for the virus on Thursday.
Hicks began feeling mild symptoms during the plane ride home from a rally in Minnesota on Wednesday evening, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. She was quarantined away from others on the plane and her diagnosis was confirmed on Thursday, the official said.
Read: Trump in 'quarantine process' after top aide tests positive for COVID-19
Hicks, who serves as counsellor to Trump, also travelled with Trump to the first presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday.
The positive test is yet another reminder that the coronavirus continues to spread, even as Trump has tried desperately to suggest it no longer poses a danger.
Since it emerged earlier this year, Trump, the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines including those issued by his administration such as wearing masks in public and practising social distancing.
Instead, Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters. The virus has killed more than 2,00,000 Americans and infected more than 7 million nationwide.
The White House had not responded earlier to multiple questions about the last time Trump was tested and whether he and other staffers who spent time with Hicks in recent days will be asked to quarantine.
