Donald Trump coronavirus: When is the next debate? Can Trump attend?
DONALD and Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the White House, which released the news today alongside the President on Twitter. When is the next presidential debate, and can Donald Trump attend?
Donald Trump 'must wear a mask' in next debate says expert
Donald Trump, 74, has tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, according to the White House. The couple's results come just days after senior staffer Hope Hicks, who was present at the last debate alongside the president, received a positive test of her own. Experts believe she passed the disease around the White House, forcing Mr Trump and his family to quarantine.
When is the next presidential debate?
Mr Trump and his rival for the presidency Joe Biden clashed on-stage for the first time on Tuesday, in an exchange which may have left millions of Americans lacklustre about another debate.
The bout descended into chaos on several occasions, as the president hurled assaults at his stage mate and interrupted him.
Thankfully, however, Mr Trump and Mr Biden may not appear together again until the end of the month.
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Mr Trump tweeted early this morning he and his wife had entered quarantine at the White House.
The president wrote: "Tonight, FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19.
"We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!"
The next debate is on October 15 in Miami, but it is unclear whether or not Mr Trump will attend.
Quarantine, in the president's case, will require him to limit contact with anyone else, meaning he may need to stay put in residence.
Scientists believe it takes up to two weeks for the virus to run its course and lose infectivity, so if Mr Trump started quarantine last night, it would end by October 15.
The date would likely end up the last he has to stay inside, rather than the day he can leave, so would prevent him from travelling to Florida.
The next debate takes place on October 22, meaning they would likely clash once again then.
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Mr Trump contracted the disease not long after his bout with Mr Biden, also prompting fears the 77-year-old former Vice President did as well.
He stood just three metres apart from the President on Tuesday, three times the recommended distance of one metre.
However, Mr Trump spoke, and often shouted, in his direction in an enclosed area for 90 minutes.
Experts believe the setting may have provided a combination of factors which allowed the incumbent to infect his opponent.
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta said the Democrat candidate "needs to be immediately tested."
In the meantime, Mr Biden also took to Twitter and wished the incumbent a swift recovery.
He wrote: "Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery.
"We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family."