The announcement by President Donald Trump that he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19 has stunned the country. While the president and his wife are experiencing mild symptoms, there are no shortage of questions to be asked and key points to consider.
For instance, the diagnosis comes just a few days after President Trump and several of his family members -- including the First Lady -- were in Cleveland to attend Tuesday's debate against Joe Biden, many seen seated in the audience without wearing a mask. While images show the family wearing masks when they entered the venue, other photos, however, show their facial coverings were removed while in physically distanced seats to watch the debate.
As updates come fast and furious, we have put together a real-time blog with everything you need to know about the president's condition, reactions, and much more.
NOTE: Be sure to refresh this story frequently for the newest information. You will find the most recent updates at the top of the story.
1:19 p.m. President Trump provides an update on his condition and thanks the staff at Walter Reed, saying "tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE," in a tweet Saturday.
1: 00 p.m. Senate Republicans have canceled legislative work until Oct. 19 as the coronavirus sweeps through their ranks and lawmakers increasingly call for comprehensive testing on Capitol Hill.
11:40 a.m. The president's physician Dr. Sean Conley briefed the public on President Trump's condition after he tested positive for COVID-19. According to Dr. Conley, the President is doing " very well" and they are "extremely happy with the progress" he has made.
11: 37 a.m. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has tested positive for COVID-19, as President Donald Trump remains hospitalized.
Christie, who served as governor from 2010 to 2018, helped President Trump with debate preparation on Monday in the map room of the White House
11:35 p.m. Cleveland City Councilman Blane Griffin was at the debate Tuesday and told 3News' Russ Mitchell several members of Trump's inner circle (including those in his family) refused to put on masks when offered them by a member of the Cleveland Clinic's staff. Biden guest Gurnee Green concurred, and Trump advisor Pastor Darrell Scott admitted he took his mask off after sitting down because "I got tired of breathing my own breath." These actions would seemingly violate the Clinic's policy for the debate that everyone except the participants would wear masks at all times.
11:15 p.m. President Trump is "doing very well" at Walter Reed Medical Center, according to his doctor. He is reportedly "resting comfortably" and breathing without a ventilator, although he does have a fever and is being given Remdesivir.
10:45 p.m. Former Trump administration aide Kellyanne Conway has contracted COVID-19, she announced Friday night. While she left her White House position weeks ago, she was in the Rose Garden last Saturday when the president announced his Supreme Court nominee. Most attendees were not wearing masks at the event.
9:30 p.m. Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has tested negative for COVID-19 after attending Tuesday's debate. Both Gov. DeWine and his wife Fran were tested as well, and both were also negative.
7:20 p.m. The Cleveland Clinic has offered a clarification regarding the 11 people who tested positive for COVID-19 during debate preparations. Officials say none of the 11 had access to the debate hall, as all were either members of the media or on the logistics staff and did not get the prerequisite negative test needed to enter Samson Pavilion.
Full Statement:
"It’s important to clarify the 11 people who tested positive never accessed the debate hall. These individuals were either members of the media or were scheduled to work logistics/set-up the days prior to the event. Individuals did not receive credentials or tickets to enter the debate hall until they had a negative test, and all were advised to isolate while they awaited their test results."
6:45 p.m. President Trump briefly addressed the nation in a taped video posted to Twitter, confirming he has indeed been taken to Walter Reed to "figure things out," although he says he's "doing very well." He also thanked the American people for their thoughts and prayers.
5:30 p.m. President Trump is on his way to Walter Reed Medical Center to continue his treatment for COVID-19. While the White House confirms he is "fatigued," they say he has continued to work and will only be at the hospital for "a few days" on the advice of his doctors.
4:06 p.m. The president and first lady (along with members of their staffs) were both briefly at the Intercontinental Hotel while they were in Cleveland. The facility released the following statement to 3News:
"Our thoughts are with all Americans who are impacted by COVID, including the President and the First Lady. While members of this group were not overnight guests at our property and on site only briefly, we have taken the necessary steps to maintain hygiene standards in the hotel, including enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures. This group was in a dedicated space within the hotel and had limited to no interaction with hotel colleagues or other guests. We are following guidance from relevant health authorities to minimize any further risks, and the hotel is open and continuing to serve guests."
3:32 p.m. Next week's vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris will go on next week as scheduled.
3:00 p.m. Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted hold news conference following the announcement of President Trump's positive COVID test.
2:40 p.m. City of Cleveland releases COVID-19 update following presidential debate.
On the heels of the announcement of President Trump's positive COVID-19 test, the city says it is "aware of 11 cases stemming from pre-debate planning and set-up, with the majority of cases occurring among out of state residents."
No city residents appear to have contracted the virus as a result of the debate, although officials say that could change.
According to the Cleveland Department of Public Health, any individuals who tested positive as part of the debate were contacted, interviewed when possible, issued isolation orders and provided guidance regarding their isolation period. There were also conversations with individuals who tested positive regarding their upcoming travel.
2:30 p.m. Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Board of Health members hold COVID-19 briefing.
1:55 p.m. Rep. Marcia Fudge, who was present at Tuesday's presidential debate, issued the following statement.
“I attended the debate held at Case Western Reserve University located in the 11th Congressional District. While there, I took the necessary precautions, wore a mask and social distanced as recommended by the Cleveland Clinic. I was not seated near the President nor any members of his team. I am not experiencing any coronavirus symptoms but will take a test if that changes. In the meantime, I am following health safety guidelines.
“This goes to show that this virus does not discriminate and anyone is susceptible. Everyone please stay safe and follow the CDC guidelines.”
1:50 p.m. The Trump campaign announces events involving president are being postponed or will be held virtually. Vice President Pence does plan to resume his scheduled campaign events.
1:46 p.m. Cleveland Clinic issues an updated statement.
“Our thoughts are with the President, First Lady and all of our guests. As health advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates and the host site, we had requirements to maintain a safe environment that align with CDC guidelines- including social distancing, hand sanitizing, temperature checks and masking. Most importantly, everyone permitted inside the debate hall tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry. Individuals traveling with both candidates, including the candidates themselves, had been tested and tested negative by their respective campaigns.
Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place, we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests. Out of an abundance of caution we are reaching out to our guests to address any questions and concerns. We will continue to monitor the information being released by the White House.”
While the Clinic is following up with the guests to address their questions and concerns, they do not think it is necessary to test everyone again given the safety measures in place. If a guest brings this up as a concern, however, the Clinic says it can offer retesting.
12:22 p.m. Joe Biden confirms he's tested negative.
12:13 p.m. Reports surface from NBC News that Joe Biden has tested negative.
11:54 a.m. The Cleveland Clinic offers the following statement about safety precautions that were implemented during the debate at Case Western Reserve University:
As health advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates and the host site, we had several requirements to maintain a safe environment that align with CDC guidelines -- including temperature checks, hand sanitizing, social distancing and masking. Most importantly, everyone permitted inside the debate hall tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry. Individuals traveling with both candidates, including the candidates themselves, had been tested and tested negative by their respective campaigns.
Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place, we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests. Out of an abundance of caution we are reaching out to our guests to address any questions and concerns, as well as offering testing. We will continue to monitor the information being released by the White House.
RELATED: President Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis comes days after family attends Cleveland debate while seated without masks
11:17 a.m. Senator Sherrod Brown issues a statement.
11:07 a.m. First Lady Melania Trump expresses gratitude for the support.
8:45 a.m. Joe Biden and Senator Rob Portman offer their reactions.
6:41 a.m. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine offers his reaction: "Fran and I join our fellow Ohioans in praying for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump after they announced early today that they have both tested positive for COVID-19. Along with millions of others, we extend our prayers and best wishes to the President and First Lady during this time for a speedy recovery and for their good health."
1:27 a.m. First Lady Melania Trump tweets about the news.
12:54 a.m. President Trump confirms the diagnosis on Twitter.