Trump considered high risk for coronavirus because of age and weight say experts

President’s doctor says he will quarantine at White House

Andrew Buncombe

Seattle

Friday 02 October 2020 08:36 BST

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Trump explains why he won't wear a mask

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Donald Trump is considered high risk to the dangers of the coronavirus because of his age and because he is judged to be overweight.

Experts have long warned the virus, which causes Covid-19, is a particular threat to those aged in the 70s or older, those with some pre-existing health conditions, and people who do not exercise.

“This evening I received confirmation that both President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” White House doctor Sean Conley said in a statement.

“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”

He added: “The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country's greatest medical professionals and institutions.”

Yet experts warned that given he is aged 74 and because he is considered overweight, Mr Trump will be in the high risk category for those who contract the disease. T

here was no immediate word from Joe Biden, who debated with Mr Trump on Tuesday night in a noisy, unappealing event during which the president repeatetedly talked over the former vice president.

He even mocked him for wearing masks “I don't wear masks like him. Every time you see him, he's got a mask,” he said. “He could be speaking 200 feet away from it, he shows up with the biggest mask I've ever seen.” Mr Trump’s positive test result came after news that Hope Hicks, a top adviser and trusted aide, had tested positive for the new coronavirus earlier on Thursday.

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The president. who is tested regularly for the virus, has held rallies with thousands of people in recent weeks in the run-up to the November 3 election, despite warnings from public health professionals against having events with large crowds. The president largely eschews wearing masks and has criticised others who do. Public health professionals say mask-wearing is key to helping to prevent the virus from spreading. Earlier this year, House speaker Nancy Pelosi calling him “morbidly obese”.

Mr Pelosi said it was ”not a good idea“ for the president to be taking hydroxychloroquine, a drug that has not been proven to work against the coronavirus, because it can pose a risk for people with heart conditions and he is ”morbidly obese”. Mr Trump later said: “I don't respond to her. I think she's a waste of time.”

Additional reporting by Reuters

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