President Donald Trump informed the public via Tweet early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have both tested positive for COVID-19. The announcement comes 32 days before the general election on November 3rd.

“We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately,” he wrote. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”

The White House physician announced that the president would continue carrying out his duties “without disruption” while recovering.
There will certainly be extensive contact tracing to assess who has been in contact with the President, his wife, and the executive and support staff that he frequently is in contact with.

Before the President announced he had tested positive for the virus, White House top aide, Hope Hicks, who had traveled with him during the week,had tested positive.

President Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from the coronavirus, which has infected more than 7 million people nationwide.

President Trump’s physician said in a memo that Trump and the first lady, who is 50 years old “are both well at this time” and “plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”

If Trump becomes too ill to lead the country, vice president Mike Pence will be placed in charge. If Pence is also incapacitated, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi would be the most likely person to take over.