Pence tests negative for coronavirus after Trump diagnosis

Vice President Mike Pence has tested negative for the virus that causes COVID-19, his office announced Friday morning after the stunning news that President Donald trump had tested positive.

“As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery,” Devin O’Malley, Pence’s press secretary, said via a tweet posted at 7:52 a.m.

As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for COVID-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery.

— Devin O’Malley 45 Archived (@VPPressSec45) October 2, 2020

First lady Melania Trump also tested positive, the White House announced. The president’s physician said in a memo that Trump, 74, and the first lady, who is 50, “are both well at this time” and “plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence.”

Trump’s diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington, raising questions about how far the virus had spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government. Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus, the White House said top aide Hope Hicks, who had traveled with him during the week, had tested positive.

This story will be updated.