npr--2020-10-03--Trump Is Taking Remdesivir. Here's How It Works To Control The Coronavirus

Trump Is Taking Remdesivir .
Here 's How It Works To Control The Coronavirus President Trump , hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland , is being treated with remdesivir , an antiviral drug made by Gilead Sciences .
While the drug has n't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration , it was authorized for emergency use in May for treating hospitalized patients with the coronavirus .
Trump received his first IV infusion of remdesivir on Friday night , and doctors say he 'll undergo a five-day treatment course of the drug .
How does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the virus to replicate .
Typically , when SARS-CoV-2 invades a cell , it releases a strand of RNA containing its genome — essentially , a genetic blueprint for replicating itself .
In order for the virus to make copies , its RNA needs to latch onto a cell 's ribosome .
That 's a tiny cellular machine that lives in human cells and helps replicate proteins .
A single cell can contain million of ribosomes , which , when things are working normally , help create the normal cells of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ribosome , directing it to make copies of itself — and then copies of those copies .
As anyone who has used a Xerox machine knows , when you make copies of a copy , the new copies can get harder to read .
A similar phenomenon takes place within the cell , and so normally , new copies of a virus can contain mutations .
One reason coronaviruses are so good at proliferating throughout the body is because they carry a special `` proofreading '' protein that catches the errors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each compromised cell can create thousands of copies of the virus , which then infect nearby cells , where replication begins again .
That 's where remdesivir comes in .
It helps control the coronavirus by disrupting its proofreading process .
To the coronavirus , remdesivir looks like a natural part of the human cell .
But when remdesivir gets stitched into the new replicated virus , it gums up the works .
`` Now the virus is making a lot of rotten genomes that poison the viral replication process , '' geneticist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicine .
Remdesivir is n't a perfect copy-blocking machine , but it works well enough to slow the release of the virus and help give the body 's immune system a better chance at fighting the invaders .
For those who need hospitalization , a 5- to 10-day course of remdesivir has been shown to improve results and reduce hospital stays by a few days .
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients receiving remdesivir recovered in 11 days , compared with 15 days for those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study found the medication to be most effective for hospitalized patients with severe disease requiring supplemental oxygen .
The president 's doctors said Saturday that he was not on supplemental oxygen `` right now , '' but declined to say whether he had been previously .
Along with remdesivir , Trump is also taking an experimental `` antibody cocktail '' by the drugmaker Regeneron .
In an ongoing trial , the drug — known as REGN-COV2 — has been shown to reduce viral load in the body , as well as the duration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generally took 13 days to see their symptoms reduced , while those given the cocktail saw results in about half the time .
That trial has not examined the interplay between the cocktail and remdesivir .
Doctors said that the president is doing well , with no difficulty breathing .
`` I feel like I could walk out of here today , '' Trump told the staff , according to Dr. Sean Dooley , the president 's physician .
However , a source familiar with the president 's health later told White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the last 24 hours were very concerning . ''
`` The next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care , '' the source said .
`` We 're still not on a clear path to a full recovery . ''

Trump Is Taking Remdesivir. Here's How It Works To Control The Coronavirus
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
President Trump, hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, is being treated with remdesivir, an antiviral drug made by Gilead Sciences. While the drug hasn't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, it was authorized for emergency use in May for treating hospitalized patients with the coronavirus.
Trump received his first IV infusion of remdesivir on Friday night, and doctors say he'll undergo a five-day treatment course of the drug.
How does remdesivir work? By making it harder for the virus to replicate. Typically, when SARS-CoV-2 invades a cell, it releases a strand of RNA containing its genome — essentially, a genetic blueprint for replicating itself.
In order for the virus to make copies, its RNA needs to latch onto a cell's ribosome. That's a tiny cellular machine that lives in human cells and creates proteins. A single cell can contain millions of ribosomes, which, when things are working normally, help create the normal cells of the human body. But the coronavirus hijacks the ribosome, directing it to make copies of itself — and then copies of those copies.
Each compromised cell can create thousands of copies of the virus, which then infect nearby cells, where replication begins again.
As anyone who has used a Xerox machine knows, when you make copies of a copy, the new copies can get harder to read. A similar phenomenon takes place within the cell, and so normally, new copies of a virus can contain mutations.
One reason coronaviruses are so good at proliferating throughout the body is because they carry a special "proofreading" protein that catches the errors, helping the virus replicate itself correctly.
That's where remdesivir comes in. It helps control the coronavirus by disrupting its proofreading process. To the coronavirus, remdesivir looks like a natural part of the human cell. But when remdesivir gets stitched into the new replicated virus, it gums up the works.
"Now the virus is making a lot of rotten genomes that poison the viral replication process," geneticist Judith Frydman explained this summer to Stanford Medicine.
Remdesivir isn't a perfect copy-blocking machine, but it works well enough to slow the release of the virus and help give the body's immune system a better chance at fighting the invaders. For those who need hospitalization, a 5- to 10-day course of remdesivir has been shown to improve results and reduce hospital stays by a few days.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients receiving remdesivir recovered in 11 days, compared with 15 days for those who received a placebo. However, that study found the medication to be most effective for hospitalized patients with severe disease requiring supplemental oxygen.
The president's doctors said Saturday that he was not on supplemental oxygen "right now," but declined to say whether he had been previously.
Along with remdesivir, Trump is also taking an experimental "antibody cocktail" by the drugmaker Regeneron. In an ongoing trial, the drug — known as REGN-COV2 — has been shown to reduce viral load in the body, as well as the duration of symptoms. Patients given a placebo generally took 13 days to see their symptoms reduced, while those given the cocktail saw results in about half the time. That trial has not examined the interplay between the cocktail and remdesivir.
Doctors said that the president is doing well, with no difficulty breathing. "I feel like I could walk out of here today," Trump told the staff, according to Dr. Sean Dooley, one of the president's doctors. However, a source familiar with the president's health later told White House reporters that "the president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning."
"The next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care," the source said. "We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery."


npr--2020-10-03--Timeline: What We Know Of President Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis

Timeline : What We Know Of President Trump 's COVID-19 Diagnosis President Trump tweeted early Friday morning that he tested positive for the coronavirus .
But questions remain about what exactly happened before and after — when the president was first diagnosed , started experiencing symptoms and what treatment he received and when .
On Saturday , for example , White House physician Sean Conley told reporters Trump was `` 72 hours '' into his diagnosis , but later said in a memo later on that he meant to say Day 3 .
Conley refused to say whether Trump had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another doctor said Trump received treatment 48 hours ago — also quickly walked back by the White House .
Here 's what we know about what happened when : Trump hosted a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden to announce his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett .
At least eight people who attended the ceremony , including the president , have since tested positive for the coronavirus .
Later that night , Trump flew to Pennsylvania for an outdoor rally .
Hope Hicks , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later test positive for the coronavirus , accompanied the president .
Trump attended the presidential debate in Cleveland .
Members of the Trump family and other guests of the president did not wear masks in the debate venue , despite being asked to by Cleveland Clinic staff .
Debate moderator Chris Wallace said on Fox on Friday that Trump was n't tested before attending the debate because he arrived late .
Instead , organizers relied on the honor system , he said .
Trump flew to Minnesota for a fundraiser and an outdoor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwell and tried to isolate on the Air Force One ride back to Washington .
Conley 's initial reference to 72 hours since the diagnosis would mean that Trump was diagnosed midday on Wednesday .
The White House later walked Conley 's reference back , saying it had not been 72 hours since the president was diagnosed , saying Conley meant to say it was Day 3 since the diagnosis .
Hicks reportedly received a positive coronavirus test on Thursday .
She had also traveled with the president on Tuesday and Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jersey for an indoor fundraiser at which few people wore masks .
At Saturday 's press conference , Dr. Brian Garibaldi said the president began an experimental antibody therapy `` about 48 hours ago . ''
That would place the beginning of that treatment at midday on Thursday , possibly before Trump flew to New Jersey .
The White House has also walked that time reference back , saying Regeneron was administered late Thursday .
That night , Bloomberg News reported that Hicks had been confirmed positive for the coronavirus .
In a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that night , Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump had been tested and were awaiting the results .
Doctors have said Trump had a fever `` Thursday into Friday , '' but did n't say how high it was .
Shortly after 1 a.m. , Trump tweeted that he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus .
On Friday morning , Mark Meadows , the White House chief of staff , told reporters outside the White House that Trump had `` mild symptoms . ''
That morning , Melania @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but overall was feeling good .
In an interview on Fox News , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Trump had announced his own coronavirus test result within an hour of receiving it .
That afternoon , around 4 ET , the White House announced that the president had received a dose of Regeneron , the experimental drug cocktail that has shown promising results improving coronavirus symptoms .
Conley wrote that Trump was `` fatigued but in good spirits . ''
After 6 p.m. , Trump left the White House via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Center .
The president tweeted a video of himself recorded earlier in the White House thanking supporters for their well wishes .
He gave a thumbs-up to reporters as he walked to Marine One .
Throughout the day , additional people who had been in the president 's orbit , including two members of the U.S. Senate , disclosed positive test results .
Just before midnight , the president 's physician released a letter saying Trump had started his first dose of remdesivir therapy .
Doctors later said Trump had a fever Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Conley and doctors at Walter Reed briefed the press Saturday morning .
Conley said that he was `` extremely happy '' with the progress being made and that Trump 's fatigue and mild cough were improving .
He said Trump had been fever free for 24 hours .
Conley would not directly answer whether Trump had received any oxygen during the course of the illness but said that he had not received any on Saturday and was walking around .
He also said Trump did not receive supplemental oxygen on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed .
However , White House official then took a less rosy tone , telling pool reporters that `` the president 's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care .
We 're still not on a clear path to a full recovery . ''
The Associated Press identified that information as coming from White House chief of staff Mark Meadows Then , the White House walked back the timeline given by Conley and other doctors at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and began receiving treatment Thursday night .
Trump fired off a tweet not too long after , saying he was `` feeling well . ''
The White House said Friday that Trump would be at Walter Reed for a `` few days . ''
On Saturday , doctors said that they were evaluating his condition each day and that if he needs the full five-day course of remdesivir , he would stay at Walter Reed to receive it .

Timeline: What We Know Of President Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis, Treatment
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Updated at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday
President Trump is hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as he faces COVID-19.
Trump announced early Friday morning that he and the first lady had tested positive for the coronavirus, and he was taken to Walter Reed Friday evening.
The rest of the timeline, as laid out by White House officials and Trump's physician, Sean Conley, has at times been unclear. Here's what we know about what happened when:
Saturday, Sept. 26
Trump hosted a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden to announce his nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. Guests, many without masks, packed into the outdoor space, and some were also photographed together indoors. (The White House has coronavirus testing protocols for guests and members of the press.)
At least eight people who attended the ceremony, including the president and the first lady, have since tested positive for the coronavirus.
Later that night, Trump flew to Pennsylvania for an outdoor rally.
Tuesday
Trump attended the presidential debate in Cleveland. Members of the Trump family and other guests of the president did not wear masks in the debate venue, despite being asked to by Cleveland Clinic staff.
Debate moderator Chris Wallace said on Fox on Friday that Trump wasn't tested before attending the debate because he arrived late. Instead, organizers relied on the honor system, he said.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden and his group at the debate have all tested negative so far.
Wednesday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Trump flew to Minnesota for a fundraiser and an outdoor rally.
Hope Hicks, one of Trump's closest aides, reportedly started to feel unwell and tried to isolate on the Air Force One ride back to Washington.
(On Saturday, White House physician Conley said it had been 72 hours since the president's diagnosis — which would mean midday on Wednesday. Conley later said he had made a mistake, that he meant to say Saturday had been Day 3 of the diagnosis.)
Thursday
Hicks reportedly received a positive coronavirus test on Thursday.
That afternoon, Trump flew to New Jersey for an indoor fundraiser at which few people wore masks.
(At Saturday's press conference, Dr. Brian Garibaldi said the president began an experimental antibody therapy "about 48 hours ago." That would place the beginning of that treatment at midday on Thursday. Conley has also walked that time reference back, saying Regeneron was administered late Thursday.)
That night, Bloomberg News reported that Hicks had been confirmed positive for the coronavirus. In a phone interview on Fox News shortly after, Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump had been tested and were awaiting the results.
Doctors have said Trump had a fever "Thursday into Friday," but didn't say how high it was.
Friday
Shortly after 1 a.m., Trump tweeted that he and his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told Fox News Trump had announced his coronavirus test result within an hour of receiving it.
On Friday morning, Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, told reporters that Trump had "mild symptoms."
That morning, Melania Trump tweeted that she had mild symptoms, but overall was feeling good.
That afternoon, around 4 p.m. ET, the White House announced that the president had received a dose of Regeneron, the experimental drug cocktail that has shown promising results improving coronavirus symptoms.
Conley wrote that Trump was "fatigued but in good spirits."
After 6 p.m. ET, Trump left the White House via helicopter for Walter Reed. The president tweeted a video of himself recorded earlier in the White House thanking supporters for their well wishes. He gave a thumbs-up to reporters as he walked to Marine One.
Throughout the day, additional people who had been in the president's orbit, including Republican members of the U.S. Senate, disclosed positive test results.
Just before midnight, the president's physician released a letter saying Trump had started his first dose of remdesivir therapy.
Doctors later said Trump had a fever Friday morning but not the rest of the day, and that he received supplemental oxygen early Friday.
Saturday
Enlarge this image toggle caption Susan Walsh/AP Susan Walsh/AP
Conley and doctors at Walter Reed briefed the press Saturday morning. Conley said that he was "extremely happy" with the progress being made and that Trump's fatigue and mild cough were improving. He said Trump had been fever free for 24 hours.
However, a White House official then took a less rosy tone, telling pool reporters that "the president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery."
The Associated Press identified that information as coming from Meadows.
At the Saturday news conference, Conley was evasive on whether Trump had received supplemental oxygen and, as previously noted, offered a timeline that he later had to walk back. (Trump was diagnosed and began receiving treatment Thursday night, the White House says.)
Trump fired off a tweet not too long after, saying he was "feeling well."
The White House said Friday that Trump would be at Walter Reed for a "few days." On Saturday, doctors said that they were evaluating his condition each day and that if he needs the full five-day course of remdesivir, he would stay at Walter Reed to receive it.
Meadows told Fox's Jeanine Pirro Saturday evening that concerns over whether Trump would be able to fulfil his duties after contracting the virus were "irrational."
Meadows added that on Friday morning, "A number of us, the doctor and I, were very concerned."
That's a markedly different picture from the one Meadows painted Friday morning, when he told reporters that the president was showing "mild symptoms."
Sunday
Conley and doctors at Walter Reed briefed the press Sunday morning, sharing that Trump experienced two drops in his oxygen levels: once on Friday and again Saturday.
Conley said Trump had a high fever and saw his oxygen levels fall while at the White House on Friday morning ahead of being moved to Walter Reed.
The medical team detailed the president's treatment plan, which includes the steroid dexamethasone, of which Trump received the first dose on Saturday, along with a five-day treatment course of remdesivir.
"If he continues to look and feel as well as he does today our hope is that we can plan for a discharge as early as tomorrow to the White House where he can continue his treatment course," Dr. Brian Garibaldi said.
Conley addressed the conflicting comments between him and Meadows on Saturday, saying the chief of staff's statement was "misconstrued."
"What he meant was that 24 hours ago, when he and I were checking on the president, that there was that momentary episode of the high fever and that temporary drop in the saturation, which prompted us to act expediently to move him up here," Conley said.
When asked why he was reluctant during Saturday's briefing to disclose that Trump had been administered oxygen, Conley said he was trying to "reflect the upbeat attitude" of the medical team and the president.
"I didn't want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction," he said. "And in doing so, you know, it came off that we were trying to hide something, which wasn't necessarily true. The fact of the matter is, is that [Trump's] doing really well."
Sunday evening, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters that Trump's first positive test for the coronavirus was received after he returned from the Thursday trip to Bedminster, N.J.
She would not comment on whether he was tested before the presidential debate in Cleveland on Tuesday, on Wednesday night or on Thursday morning.
"I'm not going to give you a detailed readout with timestamps of every time the president is tested. He is tested regularly, and the first positive test he received was after his return from Bedminster," McEnany said.
Monday
President Trump tweeted Monday afternoon that he will leave Walter Reed at 6:30p.m. His doctors confirmed in a briefing to the press that the president would be discharged from the facility and complete his treatment regimen at the White House.
Dr. Conley said that while Trump may not be "entirely out of the woods yet," he believes he is ready to get his care at the White House.
"He's returning to a facility, the White House medical unit, that's staffed 24/7: top notch physicians, nurses, PAs, logisticians, and the unit here...is going to continue to support us in that nature."
Dr. Garibaldi said the medical team had made plans for Trump to receive the fifth and final dose of remdesivir at the White House Tuesday night.
Conley said Trump had not been on any fever reducing medications for more than 72 hours and that his breathing is normal.
He declined again to go into detail regarding the president's lung scans, citing patient privacy regulations, and refused to say when Trump's last negative coronavirus test was, saying, "I don't want to go backwards."
He also would not comment on Trump's tweet, which instructed people not to be afraid of the coronavirus, a striking statement as the American death toll climbs past 209,000.
Trump departed Walter Reed around 6:40p.m. Monday evening, almost exactly 72 hours after he first arrived as a patient.
Wearing a white mask, he paused on the steps and pumped his fist in the air. When he returned to the White House, he walked up the staircase of the South Portico entrance, removed his mask, gave reporters a thumbs-up and saluted Marine One.
This post was originally published on Oct. 3.


npr--2020-10-03--Michigan Supreme Court Rules Against Governor's Emergency Powers

Michigan 's Supreme Court ruled Friday that Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer lacks the authority to extend or declare states of emergency in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Democratic governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in March and expanded it via another executive order in April .
The Republican-controlled legislature passed a resolution to extend the state of emergency , but only until April 30 .
Whitmer has since issued several more orders related to the pandemic .
Whitmer cited two state laws — the Emergency Management Act of 1976 and the Emergency Powers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ granting her the authority to continue the emergency orders past April 30 .
In a 4-3 majority opinion , the state 's high court said she did not have that authority .
`` We conclude that the Governor lacked the authority to declare a 'state of emergency ' or a 'state of disaster ' under the EMA after April 30 , 2020 , on the basis of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Furthermore , we conclude that the EPGA is in violation of the Constitution of our state because it purports to delegate to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state government -- including its plenary police powers -- and to allow the exercise of such powers indefinitely , '' wrote Justice Stephen J. Markman on behalf of the majority .
Whitmer responded to the decision calling it `` deeply deeply disappointing , and I vehemently disagree with the court 's interpretation of the Michigan Constitution . ''
`` Right now , every state and the federal government have some form of declared emergency , '' Whitmer said in a statement .
The ruling also came the same day that Whitmer rolled back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upper Peninsula region , citing an upsurge in cases there .
`` With this decision , Michigan will become the sole outlier at a time when the Upper Peninsula is experiencing rates of COVID infection not seen in our state since April , '' Whitmer went on to say .
Whitmer 's measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus have been a point of contention between her and Republican lawmakers .
In May , as the cases in the state surged , legislators sued the Democratic governor arguing she had overstepped her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders and coronavirus measures also occasioned protests , with hundreds of people — some of them armed — swarming the state 's Capitol .
The day of the Supreme Court ruling a group called Unlock Michigan reportedly submitted some 539,000 signatures calling for the repeal of the 1945 law cited by Whitmer .
In her Friday statement , Whitmer that the court 's decision would not go into effect for 21 days and that her declarations and orders retained `` the force of law . ''
Whitmer added that many of the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alternative sources of authority that were not at issue in today 's ruling . ''

Michigan Supreme Court Rules Against Governor's Emergency Powers
Enlarge this image toggle caption AP AP
Michigan's Supreme Court ruled Friday that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lacks the authority to extend or declare states of emergency in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Democratic governor issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency in March and expanded it via another executive order in April. The Republican-controlled legislature passed a resolution to extend the state of emergency, but only until April 30. Whitmer has since issued many more orders related to the pandemic.
Whitmer cited two state laws — the Emergency Management Act of 1976 and the Emergency Powers of the Governor Act from 1945 — as granting her the authority to continue the emergency orders past April 30.
In a 4-3 majority opinion, the state's high court said she did not have that authority.
"We conclude that the Governor lacked the authority to declare a 'state of emergency' or a 'state of disaster' under the EMA after April 30, 2020, on the basis of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, we conclude that the EPGA is in violation of the Constitution of our state because it purports to delegate to the executive branch the legislative powers of state government-- including its plenary police powers-- and to allow the exercise of such powers indefinitely," wrote Justice Stephen J. Markman on behalf of the majority.
Whitmer responded to the decision calling it "deeply deeply disappointing, and I vehemently disagree with the court's interpretation of the Michigan Constitution."
"Right now, every state and the federal government have some form of declared emergency," Whitmer said in a statement.
The ruling also came the same day that Whitmer rolled back the reopening phase of the state's Upper Peninsula region, citing an upsurge in cases there.
"With this decision, Michigan will become the sole outlier at a time when the Upper Peninsula is experiencing rates of COVID infection not seen in our state since April," Whitmer went on to say.
Whitmer's measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus have been a point of contention between her and Republican lawmakers. In May, as the cases in the state surged, legislators sued the Democratic governor arguing she had overstepped her legal authority in her declarations.
The orders and coronavirus measures also occasioned protests, with hundreds of people — some of them armed — swarming the state's Capitol.
The day of the Supreme Court ruling a group called Unlock Michigan reportedly submitted some 539,000 signatures calling for the repeal of the 1945 law cited by Whitmer.
In her Friday statement, Whitmer that the court's decision would not go into effect for 21 days and that her declarations and orders retained "the force of law." Whitmer added that many of the state's coronavirus measures "will continue under alternative sources of authority that were not at issue in today's ruling."


npr--2020-10-03--Transcript: President Trump's Doctors Provide Saturday Update On His Health

Editor 's note : President Trump 's doctors gave a briefing Saturday morning outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and answered questions from reporters .
In a statement later , Dr. Sean Conley said he misspoke during his news conference .
He said he incorrectly used 72 hours instead of `` Day 3 '' for the president 's diagnosis .
He also said a reference to 48 hours ago should have been `` Day 2 '' for administering Regeneron .
In addition , despite Conley 's assertion that Trump is `` doing very well , '' a White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House chief of staff Mark Meadows later said that the next 48 hours would be `` critical '' for the president 's care .
A transcript of the briefing follows : CONLEY : Good morning everyone .
Dr. Sean Conley , physician to the president .
This morning , I 'd like to start by first sharing that the president and first family , first lady are extremely grateful for the enormous outpouring of support and prayers that the whole world and country have been providing .
I 'd like to thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support staff here at Walter Reed for the tireless efforts providing everything and anything the medical team , the president and I could need this morning .
This morning , the president is doing very well .
Behind me are some of the members of the president 's medical team , whom I 'd like to introduce .
Dr. Sean Dooley , pulmonary critical care doctor .
Brian Garibaldi , pulmonary critical care .
Dr. Robert Browning , pulmonary critical care .
Dr. Jason Blaylock , infectious disease .
Dr. Wes Campbell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anesthesia .
Major Kurt Klein , Army Nurse .
Commander Megan Nasworthy , Navy Nurse .
Lieutenant Julianna Lavopa , Navy Nurse .
Lieutenant Commander John Shea , clinical pharmacist .
And not present with us are Lieutenant Beth Carter , Lt.. Maureen Meehan , both Navy nurses and Dr. Jesse Schonau , director Executive Medicine Program .
As reported yesterday , in consultation with this group , I recommended we bring the president up to Walter Reed as a precautionary measure to provide state-of-the-art monitoring and any care that he may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosis now , the first week of Covid , and in particular days seven to 10 , are the most critical in determining the likely course of this illness .
At this time , the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made .
Thursday , he had a mild cough and some nasal congestion and fatigue , all of which are now resolving and improving at this time .
I 'd like to bring up Dr. Dooley to discuss some of the specifics on the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good afternoon .
I 'm Dr. Sean Dooley , as Dr. Conley mentioned .
I 'll start off by mentioning what an incredible -- how incredibly proud I am of our medical team assembled behind me and the honor it has been to care for the president over these last 24 hours here at Walter Reed .
He 's receiving outstanding multidisciplinary care , the state of the science for coronavirus infection .
We are monitoring him very closely for any evidence of complications from either the coronavirus illness or the therapies that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We monitor his cardiac function , his kidney function , his liver function .
All of those are normal .
And the president this morning is not on oxygen , not having difficulty breathing or walking around the White House medical unit upstairs .
He 's in exceptionally good spirits .
And in fact , as we were completing our multidisciplinary rounds this morning , the quote he left us with was `` I feel like I could walk out of here today . ''
And that was a very encouraging comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll go ahead and introduce Dr. Garibaldi , who will talk about some of our therapeutics and the plan of care for today .
Thank you .
GARIBALDI : Thank you , Dr. Dooley .
And I 'd like to echo the sentiment from the entire team what an honor and a privilege it is to be part of this multidisciplinary unit to care for the president .
About 48 hours ago , the president received a special antibody therapy directed against the coronavirus .
And we 're working very closely with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that outcome .
Yesterday evening , he received his first dose of IV Remdesivir and our plan is to continue a five day treatment course for Remdesivir .
And the big plan for today , since he 's in such great spirits and doing well , is to encourage him to eat , to drink , to stay hydrated , to be up out of bed and to be working and doing the things that he needs to do to get well .
And I 'll refer to Dr. Conley for any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's important to note the president 's been fever free for over 24 hours .
We remain cautiously optimistic , but he 's doing great with that .
Oh , one other note .
It should be clear that he 's got plenty of work to get done from the chief of staff and he 's doing it .
With that , if there 's a couple of questions about the president 's health in the last couple of days .
REPORTER : Can you tell us the president 's oxygen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So the last saturation that we had up walking around , he was about 96 % .
REPORTER : And he is receiving no , he has not received any supplemental oxygen ?
CONLEY : He 's not on oxygen right now .
That 's right .
REPORTER : He 's not received any at all ?
CONLEY : He 's he 's not needed any , uh , this morning , today at all .
That 's right .
No he 's ... REPORTER : Do you have an estimated date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Well , I do n't want to put a hard date on that .
He 's doing so well .
But with a known course of the illness , day seven to 10 , we get really concerned about the inflammatory phase , phase two .
Given that we provided some of these advanced therapies so early on the course a little bit earlier than the most of the patients we know and follow , it 's hard to tell where he is on that course .
And so every day we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ?
What does he need and where is he going ?
REPORTER : What is the probability that he will need supplemental oxygen going forward ?
CONLEY : I do n't want to put a percentage on that .
But , but right now , all indicators are that that he 'll remain off of oxygen going forward .
REPORTER : In terms of like blood clots , pneumonia , bacterial infection , what do you see as the risk on that front ?
CONLEY : Well , we know that all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition .
He is receiving all of the standard of care and beyond per routine international Covid protocols .
So we 're monitoring for all that .
But at the moment , there 's no cause for concern .
REPORTER : You said he 's fever free now .
What was his fever when he had one , sir ?
CONLEY : I 'd rather not give any specific numbers , but but he did have a fever Thursday into Friday .
And since Friday morning , he 's had none .
REPORTER @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... REPORTER : on top of the other antibodies REPORTER : Why Remdesivir on top of the other antibodies ?
CONLEY : So Remdesivir works a little bit differently than the antibodies .
We 're maximizing all aspects of his care , attacking this virus , you know , multipronged approach .
As the president , I do n't want to hold anything back .
If there was any possibility that it would add value to his care and expedite his return , I wanted to take it and the team agreed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ REPORTER : Doctor , what was the date of the president 's last negative test ?
CONLEY : I 'm not going to get into all the testing going back , but but he and all the staff routine , routinely are tested .
And so , REPORTER : Doctor , what was the PPE the protocol for President Trump receiving visitors and doctors ?
CONLEY : It 's the same as any hospital has .
We have an area that that 's clean that you you put your equipment on .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gowned up masks , gloves .
We 're protecting ourselves and him .
REPORTER : [ inaudible ] Have you done a screen , has there been any sign of lung damage whatsoever ?
CONLEY : We are following all of that .
We do daily ultrasounds .
We do daily lab work .
The team is tracking all of that .
REPORTER : Has there been any sign of damage there ?
CONLEY : I 'm not going to go into specifics of what the findings [ inaudible ] REPORTER : Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Has he ever been on supplemental oxygen ?
CONLEY : He , right now he is not on oxygen .
REPORTER : I understand , I know you keep saying right now , but should we read into the fact that he had been previously ?
CONLEY : Yesterday and today he was not on oxygen REPORTER : So he has not been on it during this , his Covid treatment ?
CONLEY : He 's he 's not on oxygen right now .
REPORTER : Has hydroxychloroquine been considered as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CONLEY : We discussed it .
He asked about it .
He 's not on it now .
REPORTER : And Doctor , what symptoms , has he also experienced difficulty breathing ?
CONLEY : No , no he has not .
Never did .
He had a little cough , he had the fever .
More than anything he 's felt run down .
REPORTER : Who is handling contact tracing — is that the White House or CDC ?
CONLEY : The White House , uh , the White House medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with CDC and local state health departments , are conducting all contact tracing per CDC guidelines .
REPORTER : When was the positive diagnosis made ?
You said 72 hours .
That would present that Wednesday .
CONLEY : Yeah .
So Thursday afternoon following , following the news of a close contact is when we we repeated testing and given kind of clinical indications I had a little bit more concern .
And that 's when late at night we got the PCR confirmation that that he was .
REPORTER : Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected ?
CONLEY : I 'm not going to go into that as far as his care is irrelevant .
REPORTER : Or when he became infected ?
CONLEY : Yeah , we 're going to go into that .
We 're just tracking , his clinical course and providing the best care we can .
REPORTER : Will President Trump have to stay at Walter Reed to get five-day Remdesivir treatment ?
CONLEY : We discussed that .
Right now , if he needs all five days , that will likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day we 're reviewing with the team his needs for being here .
And and as soon as he gets to the point where it 's not a requirement , he may still need some care but if we can provide that downtown at the house , then we will transition at that point .
As long as it 's safe and appropriate , and the team agrees .
REPORTER : In addition to his weight , does he have any other risk factors that make him more at risk for sort of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not particularly .
I mean , he 's he 's 74 , he 's male , and he is slightly overweight .
Other than that , he 's very healthy .
Cholesterol is great .
His blood pressure is great .
It 's not on medications for that .
He 's up and active .
You saw his activity , the days leading up to long hours and everything else he 's he 's able to handle .
REPORTER : Can you provide other vitals like heart rate , blood pressure and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate is in the 70s , the 80s .
His blood pressure has remained where it 's where it 's historically been during our physicals , you know , 110 to 120 systolic .
He 's great .
It 's never budged .
I 've had no concerns there .
REPORTER : So why was the decision made to transfer him here ?
CONLEY : Because he 's the president of the United States .
REPORTER : And [ inaudible ] if doctors have found that the prone position is helpful for Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all ?
CONLEY : No , we actually — he asked about that .
He did , Thursday into Friday .
He 's been briefed by the task force and all the scientists for months .
And he brought that up , you know , as we were discussing his cough and the time his oxygen levels were O.K.
, we did n't feel like we need to do it .
We came up here and discussed it with the team as well .
We consider all options , but he 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why was n't the first lady admitted as well ?
CONLEY : The first lady is doing great .
Thanks for asking .
She has no indication for hospitalization , advanced therapy .
She 's convalescing at home .
Thank you .
REPORTER : I will try to pin you down one more time .
I know you said there 's no oxygen yesterday , today .
REPORTER : But did he receive any on Thursday .
REPOTER : Ok , so no Thursday , no Friday no Saturday .
That 's fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CONLEY : So Thursday , no oxygen , none at this moment .
Yeah , and yesterday with the team while we were all here he was not on oxygen .
REPORTER : So has the president actually been admitted as a patient to this hospital ?
CONLEY : The president is a patient at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center .
REPORTER : Is he on steroids ?
CONLEY : Thank you very much [ crosstalk ] .
Thank you .
Thank you .
Thank you .

Transcript: President Trump's Doctors Provide Saturday Update On His Health
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Editor's note: President Trump's doctors gave a briefing Saturday morning outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and answered questions from reporters.
In a statement later, Dr. Sean Conley said he misspoke during his news conference. He said he incorrectly used 72 hours instead of "Day 3" for the president's diagnosis. He also said a reference to 48 hours ago should have been "Day 2" for administering Regeneron.
In addition, despite Conley's assertion that Trump is "doing very well," a White House official identified by the Associated Press as White House chief of staff Mark Meadows later said that the next 48 hours would be "critical" for the president's care.
A transcript of the briefing follows:
CONLEY: Good morning everyone. Dr. Sean Conley, physician to the president. This morning, I'd like to start by first sharing that the president and first family, first lady are extremely grateful for the enormous outpouring of support and prayers that the whole world and country have been providing.
I'd like to thank Colonel Andrew Barr and all the medical and support staff here at Walter Reed for the tireless efforts providing everything and anything the medical team, the president and I could need this morning. This morning, the president is doing very well.
Behind me are some of the members of the president's medical team, whom I'd like to introduce. Dr. Sean Dooley, pulmonary critical care doctor. Brian Garibaldi, pulmonary critical care. Dr. Robert Browning, pulmonary critical care. Dr. Jason Blaylock, infectious disease. Dr. Wes Campbell, infectious disease. Dr. John Hodgson, anesthesia. Major Kurt Klein, Army Nurse. Commander Megan Nasworthy, Navy Nurse. Lieutenant Julianna Lavopa, Navy Nurse. Lieutenant Commander John Shea, clinical pharmacist. And not present with us are Lieutenant Beth Carter, Lt.. Maureen Mehan, both Navy nurses and Dr. Jesse Schonau, director Executive Medicine Program.
As reported yesterday, in consultation with this group, I recommended we bring the president up to Walter Reed as a precautionary measure to provide state-of-the-art monitoring and any care that he may need. Just 72 hours into the diagnosis now, the first week of Covid, and in particular days seven to 10, are the most critical in determining the likely course of this illness.
At this time, the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made. Thursday, he had a mild cough and some nasal congestion and fatigue, all of which are now resolving and improving at this time. I'd like to bring up Dr. Dooley to discuss some of the specifics on the president's care.
DOOLEY: Thank you and good afternoon. I'm Dr. Sean Dooley, as Dr. Conley mentioned. I'll start off by mentioning what an incredible-- how incredibly proud I am of our medical team assembled behind me and the honor it has been to care for the president over these last 24 hours here at Walter Reed.
He's receiving outstanding multidisciplinary care, the state of the science for coronavirus infection. We are monitoring him very closely for any evidence of complications from either the coronavirus illness or the therapies that we are prescribing to make him better.
We monitor his cardiac function, his kidney function, his liver function. All of those are normal. And the president this morning is not on oxygen, not having difficulty breathing or walking around the White House medical unit upstairs. He's in exceptionally good spirits. And in fact, as we were completing our multidisciplinary rounds this morning, the quote he left us with was "I feel like I could walk out of here today." And that was a very encouraging comment from the president.
But before, I'll go ahead and introduce Dr. Garibaldi, who will talk about some of our therapeutics and the plan of care for today. Thank you.
GARIBALDI: Thank you, Dr. Dooley. And I'd like to echo the sentiment from the entire team what an honor and a privilege it is to be part of this multidisciplinary unit to care for the president.
About 48 hours ago, the president received a special antibody therapy directed against the coronavirus. And we're working very closely with the company to monitor him in terms of that outcome. Yesterday evening, he received his first dose of IV Remdesivir and our plan is to continue a five day treatment course for Remdesivir. And the big plan for today, since he's in such great spirits and doing well, is to encourage him to eat, to drink, to stay hydrated, to be up out of bed and to be working and doing the things that he needs to do to get well. And I'll refer to Dr. Conley for any questions.
CONLEY: Thanks, Brian. It's important to note the president's been fever free for over 24 hours. We remain cautiously optimistic, but he's doing great with that. Oh, one other note. It should be clear that he's got plenty of work to get done from the chief of staff and he's doing it. With that, if there's a couple of questions about the president's health in the last couple of days.
REPORTER: Can you tell us the president's oxygen saturation level please?
CONLEY: Yeah. So the last saturation that we had up walking around, he was about 96%.
REPORTER: And he is receiving no, he has not received any supplemental oxygen?
CONLEY: He's not on oxygen right now. That's right.
REPORTER: He's not received any at all?
CONLEY: He's he's not needed any, uh, this morning, today at all. That's right. No he's...
REPORTER: Do you have an estimated date when he might be discharged?
CONLEY: Well, I don't want to put a hard date on that. He's doing so well. But with a known course of the illness, day seven to 10, we get really concerned about the inflammatory phase, phase two. Given that we provided some of these advanced therapies so early on the course a little bit earlier than the most of the patients we know and follow, it's hard to tell where he is on that course. And so every day we're evaluating does he need to be here? What does he need and where is he going?
REPORTER: What is the probability that he will need supplemental oxygen going forward?
CONLEY: I don't want to put a percentage on that. But, but right now, all indicators are that that he'll remain off of oxygen going forward.
REPORTER: In terms of like blood clots, pneumonia, bacterial infection, what do you see as the risk on that front?
CONLEY: Well, we know that all of them are risks associated with this condition. He is receiving all of the standard of care and beyond per routine international Covid protocols. So we're monitoring for all that. But at the moment, there's no cause for concern.
REPORTER: You said he's fever free now. What was his fever when he had one, sir?
CONLEY: I'd rather not give any specific numbers, but but he did have a fever Thursday into Friday. And since Friday morning, he's had none.
REPORTER: OK, what was the date...
REPORTER: on top of the other antibodies
CONLEY: I'm sorry.
REPORTER: Why Remdesivir on top of the other antibodies?
CONLEY: So Remdesivir works a little bit differently than the antibodies. We're maximizing all aspects of his care, attacking this virus, you know, multipronged approach. As the president, I don't want to hold anything back. If there was any possibility that it would add value to his care and expedite his return, I wanted to take it and the team agreed. And it's what we proceeded.
REPORTER: Doctor, what was the date of the president's last negative test?
CONLEY: I'm not going to get into all the testing going back, but but he and all the staff routine, routinely are tested. And so,
REPORTER: Doctor, what was the PPE the protocol for President Trump receiving visitors and doctors?
CONLEY: It's the same as any hospital has.
We have an area that that's clean that you you put your equipment on. And then beyond that, everybody is fully gowned up masks, gloves. We're protecting ourselves and him.
REPORTER: [inaudible] Have you done a screen, has there been any sign of lung damage whatsoever?
CONLEY: We are following all of that. We do daily ultrasounds. We do daily lab work. The team is tracking all of that.
REPORTER: Has there been any sign of damage there?
CONLEY: I'm not going to go into specifics of what the findings [inaudible]
REPORTER: Can we please [inaudible] one thing. Has he ever been on supplemental oxygen?
CONLEY: He, right now he is not on oxygen.
REPORTER: I understand, I know you keep saying right now, but should we read into the fact that he had been previously?
CONLEY: Yesterday and today he was not on oxygen
REPORTER: So he has not been on it during this, his Covid treatment?
CONLEY: He's he's not on oxygen right now.
REPORTER: Has hydroxychloroquine been considered as a viable treatment option for the president?
CONLEY: We discussed it. He asked about it. He's not on it now.
REPORTER: And Doctor, what symptoms, has he also experienced difficulty breathing?
CONLEY: No, no he has not. Never did. He had a little cough, he had the fever. More than anything he's felt run down.
REPORTER: Who is handling contact tracing — is that the White House or CDC?
CONLEY: The White House, uh, the White House medical unit, in conjunction with the collaboration with CDC and local state health departments, are conducting all contact tracing per CDC guidelines.
REPORTER: When was the positive diagnosis made? You said 72 hours. That would present that Wednesday.
CONLEY: Yeah. So Thursday afternoon following, following the news of a close contact is when we we repeated testing and given kind of clinical indications I had a little bit more concern. And that's when late at night we got the PCR confirmation that that he was.
REPORTER: Is there any clarity on how he became infected?
CONLEY: I'm not going to go into that as far as his care is irrelevant.
REPORTER: Or when he became infected?
CONLEY: Yeah, we're going to go into that. We're just tracking, his clinical course and providing the best care we can.
REPORTER: Will President Trump have to stay at Walter Reed to get five-day Remdesivir treatment?
CONLEY: We discussed that. Right now, if he needs all five days, that will likely be the course. But again, every day we're reviewing with the team his needs for being here. And and as soon as he gets to the point where it's not a requirement, he may still need some care but if we can provide that downtown at the house, then we will transition at that point. As long as it's safe and appropriate, and the team agrees.
REPORTER: In addition to his weight, does he have any other risk factors that make him more at risk for sort of a severe case?
CONLEY: Well, not particularly. I mean, he's he's 74, he's male, and he is slightly overweight. Other than that, he's very healthy. Cholesterol is great. His blood pressure is great. It's not on medications for that. He's up and active. You saw his activity, the days leading up to long hours and everything else he's he's able to handle.
REPORTER: Can you provide other vitals like heart rate, blood pressure and temperature?
CONLEY: So his heart rate is in the 70s, the 80s.
His blood pressure has remained where it's where it's historically been during our physicals, you know, 110 to 120 systolic. He's great. It's never budged. I've had no concerns there.
REPORTER: So why was the decision made to transfer him here?
CONLEY: Because he's the president of the United States.
REPORTER: And [inaudible] if doctors have found that the prone position is helpful for Covid, has he been in that at all?
CONLEY: No, we actually — he asked about that. He did, Thursday into Friday. He's been briefed by the task force and all the scientists for months. And he brought that up, you know, as we were discussing his cough and the time his oxygen levels were O.K., we didn't feel like we need to do it. We came up here and discussed it with the team as well. We consider all options, but he's not needed any of that.
REPORTER: Why wasn't the first lady admitted as well?
CONLEY: The first lady is doing great. Thanks for asking. She has no indication for hospitalization, advanced therapy. She's convalescing at home. Thank you.
REPORTER: I will try to pin you down one more time. I know you said there's no oxygen yesterday, today.
CONLEY: Yeah, right. Yeah, yeah. [crosstalk]
CONLEY: He's not on oxygen, uh, today.
REPORTER: But did he receive any on Thursday.
And he's — what's today? Saturday.
REPORTER: Saturday.
CONLEY: No, no Thursday.
REPOTER: Ok, so no Thursday, no Friday no Saturday. That's fine. That was why we were confused.
CONLEY: So Thursday, no oxygen, none at this moment. Yeah, and yesterday with the team while we were all here he was not on oxygen.
REPORTER: So has the president actually been admitted as a patient to this hospital?
CONLEY: The president is a patient at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
REPORTER: Is he on steroids?
CONLEY: Thank you very much [crosstalk]. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.


npr--2020-10-03--Trump's Doctors Give Update On President's Health After Positive Coronavirus Test

White House physician Sean Conley says that President Trump was doing `` very well '' and that the symptoms he @ @ @ @ @ .

Trump's Doctors Give Update On President's Health After Positive Coronavirus Test White House physician Sean Conley says that President Trump was doing "very well" and that the symptoms he had are resolving and improving.


npr--2020-10-03--President Trump Confirmed As 'Patient' At Walter Reed Hospital

President Trump has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus .
Doctors gave an update on his condition Saturday @

President Trump Confirmed As 'Patient' At Walter Reed Hospital President Trump has been hospitalized after testing positive for the coronavirus. Doctors gave an update on his condition Saturday.


npr--2020-10-03--At Least 8 People Test Positive For Coronavirus After Rose Garden Event For Barrett

At Least 8 People Test Positive For Coronavirus After Rose Garden Event For Barrett A week ago , more than 100 people gathered in the White House Rose Garden to celebrate President Trump 's third nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett .
Guests mingled , hugged and kissed on the cheek , most without wearing masks .
An indoor reception followed the outdoor ceremony .
Seven days later , at least eight people who attended the ceremony have tested positive for the coronavirus , including the president .
Several more of the president 's closest aides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The president and first lady President Trump announced early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive .
In introducing Barrett and pledging a swift confirmation in the Senate , the Trump campaign appeared to be finally making progress toward shifting the focus of the campaign away from the coronavirus .
Less than a week later , the president would fly to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment after his own diagnosis .
Barrett tested negative on Friday .
Trump 's now former senior adviser sat toward the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and said her symptoms are mild .
Conway also reportedly participated in debate preparations inside the White House this week .
Sen. Mike Lee announced a positive test result on Friday .
He was seen hugging and kissing other guests and not wearing a mask at the event .
The Utah Republican is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and met with Barrett earlier this week , again without masks .
Lee says he will isolate for 10 days .
Sen. Thom Tillis , R-N.C. , also received a positive test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Judiciary Committee attended the Rose Garden announcement .
Tillis wore a mask during the ceremony , but several of his colleagues did not .
Tillis participated in a Senate debate in North Carolina on Thursday .
He is the second Judiciary Committee member to test positive .
He said he will isolate for 10 days .
More positives from the Judiciary Committee could impact Barrett 's confirmation timetable .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , said Friday the hearings will proceed as planned .
Sen. Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not on the Judiciary Committee and did not attend the Rose Garden event .
Notre Dame President the Rev .
John Jenkins attended Saturday 's event to celebrate Barrett , an alum who taught for 15 years at Notre Dame 's law school .
After testing positive , he said in a statement that he `` regrets his error in judgement '' in deciding not to wear a mask .
Former New Jersey Gov .
Chris Christie , who was also at last Saturday 's event , says he has tested positive and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like many guests at the event , did not wear a mask and was photographed in close proximity greeting senior White House officials and Attorney General William Barr .
A Justice Department spokesperson said Saturday that Barr has been tested twice and that both times , the result was negative .
Later Saturday , Christie said he had checked into the hospital , in consultation with his doctors .
`` While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms , due to my history of asthma we decided this is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Three other officials close to the president have also tested positive this week .
Hope Hicks , one of the president 's closest aides , tested positive on Thursday .
Her positive diagnosis appears to have spurred the president to get tested on Thursday night .
Hicks felt unwell after a campaign event Wednesday night and attempted to isolate on the Air Force One flight back to Washington .
She did not attend the Rose Garden event .
Ronna McDaniel , the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee , has also tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been home in Michigan for the past week .
A White House journalist who covered the Rose Garden ceremony also tested positive .

At Least 8 People Test Positive For Coronavirus After Rose Garden Event For Barrett
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Updated on Sunday at 9:28 a.m. ET
A week ago, more than 100 people gathered in the White House Rose Garden to celebrate President Trump's third nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. Guests mingled, hugged and kissed on the cheek, most without wearing masks. An indoor reception followed the outdoor ceremony.
Seven days later, at least eight people who were at the ceremony have tested positive for the coronavirus, including a journalist who was covering the event. Several more of the president's closest aides and advisers have also tested positive.
Here are the officials and lawmakers who attended who have tested positive:
The president and first lady
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
President Trump announced early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive. In introducing Barrett and pledging a swift confirmation in the Senate, the Trump campaign appeared to be finally making progress toward shifting the focus of the campaign away from the coronavirus.
Less than a week later, the president would fly to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment after his own diagnosis. Barrett tested negative on Friday.
Kellyanne Conway
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Trump's now former senior adviser sat toward the front. She tested positive on Friday and said her symptoms are mild. Conway also reportedly participated in debate preparations inside the White House this week.
Mike Lee
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Sen. Mike Lee announced a positive test result on Friday. He was seen hugging and kissing other guests and not wearing a mask at the event.
The Utah Republican is also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and met with Barrett earlier this week, again without masks. Lee says he will isolate for 10 days.
Thom Tillis
Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., also received a positive test on Friday. Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee attended the Rose Garden announcement. Tillis wore a mask during the ceremony, but several of his colleagues did not.
Tillis participated in a Senate debate in North Carolina on Thursday.
He is the second Judiciary Committee member to test positive. He said he will isolate for 10 days. More positives from the Judiciary Committee could impact Barrett's confirmation timetable.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Friday the hearings will proceed as planned.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., has also tested positive. He is not on the Judiciary Committee and did not attend the Rose Garden event.
The Rev. John Jenkins
Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Brandon/AP Alex Brandon/AP
Notre Dame President the Rev. John Jenkins attended Saturday's event to celebrate Barrett, an alum who taught for 15 years at Notre Dame's law school. After testing positive, he said in a statement that he "regrets his error in judgement" in deciding not to wear a mask.
Chris Christie
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was also at last Saturday's event, says he has tested positive and will be receiving medical attention. He, like many guests at the event, did not wear a mask and was photographed in close proximity greeting senior White House officials and Attorney General William Barr. A Justice Department spokesperson said Saturday that Barr has been tested twice and that both times, the result was negative.
Later Saturday, Christie said he had checked into the hospital, in consultation with his doctors. "While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure," he tweeted.
Other Trump officials and aides test positive
Enlarge this image toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images
Three other officials close to the president have also tested positive this week.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien announced a positive test late Friday night.
Hope Hicks, one of the president's closest aides, tested positive on Thursday. Her positive diagnosis appears to have spurred the president to get tested on Thursday night. Hicks felt unwell after a campaign event Wednesday night and attempted to isolate on the Air Force One flight back to Washington. She did not attend the Rose Garden event.
Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, has also tested positive. The RNC says McDaniel has been home in Michigan for the past week.


npr--2020-10-03--McConnell Seeks Agreement To Delay Senate's Return Amid Positive Coronavirus Tests

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday that he 'll seek to obtain a consent agreement to delay the return of Senate from Monday to Oct. 19 in the wake of three GOP senators testing positive for the coronavirus .
In a statement , McConnell said the Senate Judiciary Committee 's work can continue on Oct. 12 with the confirmation process for Judge Amy Coney Barrett , President Trump 's nominee for the Supreme Court .
`` The Senate Judiciary Committee will convene on October 12th as Chairman Graham has scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in the statement .
`` The Senate 's floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough , fair , and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman Graham . ''
A separate statement from the Judiciary Committee reaffirmed the start date for Barrett 's nomination .
It is still unclear whether Democrats will agree to a delayed return to the Senate .
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer , in a statement , said , `` If it 's too dangerous to have the Senate in session , it is also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The developments mark a stunning 48 hours in Washington , which began with President Trump announcing that he had tested positive for the coronavirus .
Since then , three Republican senators , Ron Johnson of Wisconsin , Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , have all said they too tested positive .
In that period , several Trump campaign and administration officials have also tested positive for the virus .
Many of those individuals , including Lee and Tillis , attended a Rose Garden event a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Supreme Court justice nominee .
Johnson did not attend that event .
At the time , he was under quarantine for exposure to another positive case .
`` Senator Johnson feels healthy and is not experiencing symptoms , '' Ben Voelkel , a spokesman for Johnson , said in a statement .
`` He will remain isolated until given the all-clear by his doctor . ''
When that happens , Johnson is slated to return to the Capitol .
Both Johnson and Tillis have said they are n't experiencing any symptoms from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was suffering from allergy-like symptoms and sought the test soon after .
The senators , both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee , have said they plan to leave their quarantines in 10 days — in time for the Oct. 12 hearing to confirm Barrett .
The positive tests for the Republican senators raises questions about whether the Senate GOP will have a majority to confirm Barrett 's nomination before the Nov. 3 election — a top priority for McConnell .
Johnson , the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after completing a 14-day quarantine during which he had tested negative .
However , his office said he was exposed again this week to a new positive case and received a positive result after being tested again on Friday .
McConnell and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham , the chairman of the Judiciary Committee , both said Friday that their accelerated plans to approve Barrett by Election Day are still on track .
`` I 'm planning to move to the nomination as soon as it comes out of committee , '' McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could reach the Senate floor as early as Thursday , Oct. 22 , following the Judiciary hearings .
Every Republican vote will count , as McConnell is facing tight margins to confirm Barrett .
Democrats have largely said they are opposed to the process , potentially leaving McConnell with his 53-member majority to move Barrett 's nomination forward .
Two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — have signaled they will vote no on the confirmation ahead of Election Day .
That potentially leaves McConnell with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , the Republican Senate is still on track to meet those plans .
Lee and Tillis are expected in time for the confirmation hearings Oct. 12 , and Johnson could be released soon after if he completes a traditional 14-day quarantine .
If so , Johnson would be back at the Capitol well ahead of the vote for Barrett 's confirmation .

McConnell Seeks Agreement To Delay Senate's Return Amid Positive Coronavirus Tests
Enlarge this image toggle caption Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
Updated at 1:21 p.m.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Saturday that he'll seek to obtain a consent agreement to delay the return of Senate from Monday to Oct. 19 in the wake of three GOP senators testing positive for the coronavirus. In a statement, McConnell said the Senate Judiciary Committee's work can continue on Oct. 12 with the confirmation process for Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court.
"The Senate Judiciary Committee will convene on October 12th as Chairman Graham has scheduled to begin confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the Supreme Court," he said in the statement. "The Senate's floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman Graham."
A separate statement from the Judiciary Committee reaffirmed the start date for Barrett's nomination.
It is still unclear whether Democrats will agree to a delayed return to the Senate. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a statement, said, "If it's too dangerous to have the Senate in session, it is also too dangerous for committee hearings to continue."
The developments mark a stunning 48 hours in Washington, which began with President Trump announcing that he had tested positive for the coronavirus. Since then, three Republican senators, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, have all said they too tested positive.
In that period, several Trump campaign and administration officials have also tested positive for the virus. Many of those individuals, including Lee and Tillis, attended a Rose Garden event a week ago at which Trump named Barrett as his Supreme Court justice nominee. Johnson did not attend that event. At the time, he was under quarantine for exposure to another positive case.
"Senator Johnson feels healthy and is not experiencing symptoms," Ben Voelkel, a spokesman for Johnson, said in a statement. "He will remain isolated until given the all-clear by his doctor." When that happens, Johnson is slated to return to the Capitol.
Both Johnson and Tillis have said they aren't experiencing any symptoms from the illness. Lee has said he was suffering from allergy-like symptoms and sought the test soon after. The senators, both members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, have said they plan to leave their quarantines in 10 days — in time for the Oct. 12 hearing to confirm Barrett.
The positive tests for the Republican senators raises questions about whether the Senate GOP will have a majority to confirm Barrett's nomination before the Nov. 3 election — a top priority for McConnell.
Johnson, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, returned last Tuesday to Washington after completing a 14-day quarantine during which he had tested negative. However, his office said he was exposed again this week to a new positive case and received a positive result after being tested again on Friday.
McConnell and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, both said Friday that their accelerated plans to approve Barrett by Election Day are still on track.
"I'm planning to move to the nomination as soon as it comes out of committee," McConnell told reporters in Kentucky.
The effort could reach the Senate floor as early as Thursday, Oct. 22, following the Judiciary hearings.
Every Republican vote will count, as McConnell is facing tight margins to confirm Barrett. Democrats have largely said they are opposed to the process, potentially leaving McConnell with his 53-member majority to move Barrett's nomination forward.
Two Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — have signaled they will vote no on the confirmation ahead of Election Day. That potentially leaves McConnell with a 51-member majority for the potential vote. However, the Republican Senate is still on track to meet those plans.
Lee and Tillis are expected in time for the confirmation hearings Oct. 12, and Johnson could be released soon after if he completes a traditional 14-day quarantine. If so, Johnson would be back at the Capitol well ahead of the vote for Barrett's confirmation.


npr--2020-10-03--White House Official Calls Next 48 Hours 'Critical' For Trump's Care

White House Official Calls Next 48 Hours 'Critical ' For Trump 's Care Conflicting reports emerged Saturday about President Trump 's health and the timeline of when he was first tested positive for the coronavirus .
Trump is `` doing very well , '' his physician told reporters on Saturday morning , but a source familiar with the president 's health later told White House pool reporters , that `` the president 's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning . ''
The Associated Press identified that information as coming from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be critical in terms of his care , '' the official said .
`` We 're still not on a clear path to a full recovery . ''
The timeline of Trump 's diagnosis laid out by doctors in a Saturday news conference was quickly walked back by the White House , raising questions about when the president actually first began experiencing symptoms and receiving treatment for the coronavirus .
Speaking outside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where Trump was taken Friday evening , White House physician Dr. Sean Conley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the diagnosis . ''
That would be midday Wednesday , before Trump traveled to Minnesota for a fundraiser and an outdoor rally .
Trump revealed his positive coronavirus test publicly in a tweet at about 1 a.m. Friday .
Another physician at the news conference , Dr. Brian Garibaldi , said the president began an experimental antibody therapy `` about 48 hours ago , '' which would be Thursday midday , around the time Trump flew to New Jersey for a fundraiser and before he shared his test results .
A little over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a senior White House official said that Conley meant to say it 's Day 3 , not 72 hours , since Trump 's diagnosis and that the antibody therapy was administered Thursday night , not 48 hours ago .
`` The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday , October 1st and had received Regeneron 's antibody cocktail on Friday , October 2nd , '' Conley then clarified in a memo .
Doctors briefing the press also painted a much rosier picture of the president 's health than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the last 24 hours were `` concerning . ''
Conley said that the president 's mild cough and fatigue are improving , that he has not had trouble breathing , and that he has not had a fever for 24 hours .
Shortly after the press conference , Trump weighed in on Twitter , saying he was feeling well .
Dr. Sean Dooley , a pulmonologist at Walter Reed , told reporters that Trump 's liver , kidney and cardiac functions are good .
Dooley told reporters that the president said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could walk out of here today . ''
Trump is not currently on supplemental oxygen , though Conley would not confirm whether he had needed it earlier .
Conley said that days seven to 10 into the illness are critical and that the president 's condition at that time will give the medical team a better sense of the course of the illness .
He will continue a five-day course of remdesivir treatment .
On Friday , the White House said Trump would stay at Walter Reed for a few days , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president in the White House Diplomatic Room , thanking supporters for their well wishes .
Asked why the decision was made to transfer Trump to Walter Reed , Conley said , `` Because he 's the president of the United States . ''
Friday night , Conley released a letter saying Trump is `` doing very well '' and has started remdesivir therapy .
`` He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably , '' Conley wrote .
Before the president left the White House , he received a dose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an experimental drug that has shown signs of success in improving symptoms and reducing virus levels in the body .
The drug is currently under evaluation but has not received approval from the Food and Drug Administration .
The White House reported that Trump was suffering from mild symptoms , including congestion and fatigue .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , the president has downplayed the importance of wearing masks and the ongoing threat of the pandemic .
During a campaign rally in Ohio last month , Trump told the crowd that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Several top Republicans , the first lady , campaign officials and White House aides have now tested positive for the coronavirus , upending the presidential campaign just a month from Election Day .

White House Official Calls Next 48 Hours 'Critical' For Trump's Care
Enlarge this image toggle caption Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Updated at 4:39 p.m. ET
Conflicting reports emerged Saturday about President Trump's health and the timeline of when he was first tested positive for the coronavirus.
Trump is "doing very well," his physician told reporters on Saturday morning, but a source familiar with the president's health later told White House pool reporters, that "the president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning." The Associated Press identified that information as coming from White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows.
"The next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care," the official said. "We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery."
The timeline of Trump's diagnosis laid out by doctors in a Saturday news conference was quickly walked back by the White House, raising questions about when the president actually first began experiencing symptoms and receiving treatment for the coronavirus.
Speaking outside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump was taken Friday evening, White House physician Dr. Sean Conley made reference to "72 hours into the diagnosis." That would be midday Wednesday, before Trump traveled to Minnesota for a fundraiser and an outdoor rally.
Trump revealed his positive coronavirus test publicly in a tweet at about 1 a.m. Friday.
Another physician at the news conference, Dr. Brian Garibaldi, said the president began an experimental antibody therapy "about 48 hours ago," which would be Thursday midday, around the time Trump flew to New Jersey for a fundraiser and before he shared his test results.
A little over an hour after the press conference concluded, a senior White House official said that Conley meant to say it's Day 3, not 72 hours, since Trump's diagnosis and that the antibody therapy was administered Thursday night, not 48 hours ago.
"The President was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on the evening of Thursday, October 1st and had received Regeneron's antibody cocktail on Friday, October 2nd," Conley then clarified in a memo.
Doctors briefing the press also painted a much rosier picture of the president's health than the report from a White House official that the last 24 hours were "concerning."
Conley said that the president's mild cough and fatigue are improving, that he has not had trouble breathing, and that he has not had a fever for 24 hours.
Shortly after the press conference, Trump weighed in on Twitter, saying he was feeling well.
Dr. Sean Dooley, a pulmonologist at Walter Reed, told reporters that Trump's liver, kidney and cardiac functions are good.
Dooley told reporters that the president said Saturday morning, "I feel like I could walk out of here today."
Trump is not currently on supplemental oxygen, though Conley would not confirm whether he had needed it earlier.
Conley said that days seven to 10 into the illness are critical and that the president's condition at that time will give the medical team a better sense of the course of the illness. He will continue a five-day course of remdesivir treatment.
On Friday, the White House said Trump would stay at Walter Reed for a few days, and it posted a video on Twitter of the president in the White House Diplomatic Room, thanking supporters for their well wishes.
Asked why the decision was made to transfer Trump to Walter Reed, Conley said, "Because he's the president of the United States."
Friday night, Conley released a letter saying Trump is "doing very well" and has started remdesivir therapy. "He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably," Conley wrote.
Before the president left the White House, he received a dose of Regeneron's polyclonal antibody cocktail, an experimental drug that has shown signs of success in improving symptoms and reducing virus levels in the body. The drug is currently under evaluation but has not received approval from the Food and Drug Administration.
The White House reported that Trump was suffering from mild symptoms, including congestion and fatigue.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the president has downplayed the importance of wearing masks and the ongoing threat of the pandemic. During a campaign rally in Ohio last month, Trump told the crowd that the coronavirus affects "virtually nobody."
Several top Republicans, the first lady, campaign officials and White House aides have now tested positive for the coronavirus, upending the presidential campaign just a month from Election Day.


npr--2020-10-03--How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress

How The Coronavirus Has Affected Individual Members Of Congress Updated on October 3 at 10 a.m .
ET The coronavirus pandemic has upended the daily work of Congress .
Starting in March , House and Senate leaders delayed bringing back members for several weeks as public health guidelines recommended social distancing because of the outbreak .
The Senate returned in May , but the much larger House still stayed mostly away as a result of advice from the attending physician to Congress .
That same month , the House approved historic rule changes allowing remote voting and hearings .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers and forced dozens more to self-quarantine .
More than 100 members of their staffs and Capitol Hill workers have tested positive .
And it remains an ongoing threat .
Two Republican lawmakers , Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona , were the first members of Congress to announce self-quarantines on March 8 .
Both had attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor , Md.
, a few days earlier .
An attendee at the conference had fallen ill , its organizers revealed .
The following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress said they tested positive for the coronavirus .
Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah both said they developed symptoms after a March 14 vote on a coronavirus relief package .
Since that time , dozens more lawmakers entered self-quarantine as a result of exposure to someone who was sick , including fellow members of Congress , constituents and dignitaries .
And by September , at least 110 Capitol workers have reported a positive test or were presumed so , including 43 members of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Tibbetts , a longtime staffer for Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan of Florida , died from COVID-19 .
And some lawmakers have taken antibody tests to see if they were previously ill .
Among them , Democratic Sens .
Tim Kaine of Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania both said they tested positive months after experiencing symptoms in the spring .
To stem the flow of new cases , both chambers have issued new social distancing guidance .
Also , the U.S. Capitol remains closed to public tours and open only to members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visitors .
In late July , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also issued a new mask mandate after Rep. Louie Gohmert , R-Texas , who has often rejected mask protocols , tested positive for the coronavirus .
Gohmert had attended several hearings a day before testing and returned to the Capitol following a White House screening that caught his infection .
Gohmert 's case triggered quarantines for five House members , including Arizona Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva .
Days later , Grijalva tested positive , but fully recovered symptom free .
This story was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Congress and COVID-19: members' cases and quarantines
Enlarge this image toggle caption Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Editor's note: This page is no longer updating as of Dec. 31, 2021.
A number of congressional lawmakers experienced breakthrough COVID-19 infections as coronavirus cases rose nationwide with the spread of the omicron variant.
Earlier in 2021, Congress went months with no coronavirus cases among its members. That came a halt amid a national surge driven by the delta variant, when Republican Reps. Vern Buchanan of Florida and Clay Higgins of Louisiana reported infections in July. Buchanan says he was fully vaccinated, but that was less clear for Higgins.
At least another dozen members followed throughout the fall with news they had also tested positive for coronavirus; many of those infections involving vaccinated Senate and House members.
Before these latest waves, Congress' nearly six-month case pause came after a majority of more than 500 lawmakers were fully vaccinated by January. The Capitol's attending physician then lifted much of the mask mandates that dominated the past year. However, a minority of House Republican members have refused to seek vaccination.
Lawmakers impact by the coronavirus
This new threat arrives after the coronavirus already exacted a large toll on the Capitol.
Last year, the pandemic upended daily work for months, sickening dozens of members and hundreds of workers. A sitting congressman, a member-elect and an aide died.
By February 2021, more than 60 lawmakers and 360 Capitol Hill workers had tested positive, or were presumed so, for the coronavirus, according to NPR's tracker and congressional aides.
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See a list of all members who tested positive or quarantined.
That same month, Rep. Ron Wright, R-Texas, became the first sitting member of Congress to die after a more than two-week battle with COVID-19. In December, Rep.-elect Luke Letlow of Louisiana died days before he was due to be sworn in for a seat that was later filled in April by his widow, Rep. Julia Letlow, following a special election.
And last summer, an aide to Buchanan died from COVID-19.
The rash of infections among members continued at a consistent pace since the pandemic began, with the longest stretch without any such cases lasting about three weeks during recess periods away from Washington, D.C.
But this past March, Capitol Hill began its first month-long stretch without any reported cases or quarantines among members. The most recent positive case before July was reported by Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., on Jan. 29, despite his having received his second dose of the vaccine days earlier.
Another member, House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., reported that she quarantined on Feb. 1. It ended Feb. 8 without a report of a positive test.
January 6 insurrection caused spike in cases on Capitol Hill
Up until this summer, the most recent outbreak of cases on Capitol Hill for members was triggered by the Jan. 6 insurrection, which forced members to cluster together in rooms for several hours. Some House Republicans were seen refusing to wear masks during the ordeal.
Later, Monahan told Congress that at least one of these holding rooms for House members included a lawmaker who was already positive.
More than a half-dozen members quarantined as a result, and several tested positive, including Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey and Brad Schneider of Illinois.
In all, January proved to be one of members' worst month for the coronavirus, with at least 16 lawmakers testing positive. Before the insurrection, the House met to launch a new session before reinstating rules allowing proxy voting.
This, as congressional leaders and lawmakers received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which became available to members in December. The doses were provided to meet long-standing requirements for continuity of government operations, Monahan told members in a Dec. 17 note.
Pandemic impacted congressional operations
Ahead of the vaccinations, both chambers of Congress recessed multiple times last year as the Capitol went largely without a widespread testing program.
The Democratic-controlled House installed emergency proxy voting and remote hearings in May 2020, and Pelosi extended the covered period several times due to the pandemic. It remains in place until at least until mid-August.
In November, Pelosi triggered a broader coronavirus testing program for Congress following new requirement for travelers to the Washington, D.C., area.
Pelosi has previously said with about 75% of House members vaccinated, and several Republicans who refuse to do so, she's unclear when Congress will fully get back to normal.
"One of the most substantial steps that can be taken is that everybody should be vaccinated," Pelosi told reporters in March, later adding, "We need 100% of the members vaccinated, because it just takes one to endanger others."
The pandemic delayed other rituals, such as President Biden's first address before a joint session of Congress, which was held with only 200 socially distanced guests on April 28.
Last year remains a reminder of how quickly outbreaks spiraled out of control among lawmakers.
In December, at least nine House members, including six Republicans, tested positive for the coronavirus. And November proved to be another one of the worst months of the pandemic for Congress, when at least 15 lawmakers said they were infected, including two of the oldest, Republicans Rep. Don Young of Alaska and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa.
A previous outbreak in September was tied to a White House Rose Garden ceremony to announce Amy Coney Barrett as then-President Donald Trump's Supreme Court justice nominee. Trump, then-first lady Melania Trump and dozens of others in attendance tested positive, including Republican Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.
It was one of several instances forcing leaders to change the congressional schedule.
Starting in the first month of the pandemic, in March 2020, House and Senate leaders delayed bringing back members in light of public health guidelines recommending social distancing.
The Senate returned in May 2020, but the much larger House remained mostly away under the advice of Monahan, the Capitol's attending physician. That same month, the House approved its historic rule changes to allow remote voting and hearings.
The first spate of cases began March 8, 2020, when two Republican lawmakers, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, were the first members of Congress to announce self-quarantines. Both attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., where another guest fell ill.
The following week, the first two members of Congress said they tested positive for the coronavirus. Republican Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida and then-Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams of Utah both said they developed symptoms after a March 14 floor vote on a coronavirus relief package.
By last summer, dozens of Capitol workers reported a positive test or were presumed so, and Gary Tibbetts, a longtime staffer for Buchanan died from COVID-19 on July 24.
Some lawmakers also took antibody tests to see if they were previously infected. They include Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who both said they tested positive months after experiencing symptoms in the spring.
To stem the flow of new cases, both chambers early on issued new social distancing guidance. Also, the U.S. Capitol closed to public tours and remained open only to members, staff, the press and official business visitors, and aside from the Jan. 6 breach by pro-Trump extremists, it has remained so.
In late July 2020, Pelosi also issued a temporary, new mask mandate after Texas GOP Rep. Louie Gohmert, who often rejected such protocols, tested positive. Gohmert had attended several hearings a day earlier and returned to the Capitol following a White House screening that caught his infection.
Gohmert's case triggered quarantines for five House members, including Arizona Democratic Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Days later, Grijalva tested positive but fully recovered symptom free. Until recent changes lifting the mask mandates, members could be fined or be forcibly removed by Capitol Police if they are not wearing masks.