Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Trump Reportedly Hid First COVID Diagnosis While Waiting For Second Test
The Wall Street Journal: Trump Didn’t Disclose First Positive Covid-19 Test While Awaiting A Second Test On Thursday
President Trump didn’t disclose a positive result from a rapid test for Covid-19 on Thursday while awaiting the findings from a more thorough coronavirus screening, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Trump received a positive result on Thursday evening before making an appearance on Fox News in which he didn’t reveal those results. Instead, he confirmed earlier reports that one of his top aides had tested positive for coronavirus and mentioned the second test he had taken that night for which he was awaiting results. (Bender and Ballhaus, 10/4)
The Hill: Trump Sought To Keep COVID-19 Diagnosis Secret Thursday As He Awaited Second Test Result: WSJ
President Trump hid the results of his first positive COVID-19 test on Thursday while awaiting the results of a second test that would later also come back positive, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday. People familiar with the president's health told the newspaper that a rapid COVID-19 test returned a positive result before President Trump called in to Fox News for an interview with Sean Hannity on Thursday evening. During the interview, Trump addressed the diagnosis of his aide Hope Hicks with coronavirus but did not reveal that he had apparently already tested positive. (Bowden, 10/4)
The Wall Street Journal: Use Of Coronavirus Rapid Tests May Have Fueled White House Covid-19 Cluster, Experts Say
At least eight people who attended the White House’s recent Supreme Court nomination ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett have tested positive for the coronavirus, and public health experts say they expect more attendees to be diagnosed in coming days. The White House says it has relied on rapid testing to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 among officials and guests. Officials don’t wear masks or socially distance because they are tested daily. The president is also tested for the coronavirus every day, as is anyone who comes in close contact with him. (Toy and Hernandez, 10/4)
Kaiser Health News: The Mysterious White House Testing Scheme That Did Not Protect Trump
President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis is raising fresh questions about the White House’s strategy for testing and containing the virus for a president whose cavalier attitude about the coronavirus has persisted since it landed on American shores. The president has said others are tested before getting close to him, appearing to hold it as an iron shield of safety. He has largely eschewed mask-wearing and social distancing in meetings, travel and public events, while holding rallies for thousands of often maskless supporters. (Pradhan, Weber and Szabo, 10/2)
