President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump both test positive for COVID-19

U.S. president, Donald Trump announced early Friday that he and the first lady, Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.

This announcement comes barely two days after the heated presidential debate with Democratic candidate Joe Biden. It is also stirring up more uncertainty and upheaval with the presidential elections slightly over a month away.   

The White House physician, Sean Conley said in an early Friday memo that both the president and the first lady were both fine at the moment.

“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,” Conley said. “The President will continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering.”

In a tweet, President Trump said they will their quarantine and recovery process immediately. “We will get through this TOGETHER!”

The president’s announcement has thrown the stock market into upheaval as the U.S. stock futures saw a sharp drop with Dow futures dropping more than 500 points instantly.

The U.S. president currently stands as the most powerful figure to be infected with the virus. Before him, the U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro both tested positive for the coronavirus but recovered strongly after receiving treatments.

The news of President Trump’s coronavirus test result is less of a shock to many. The president had come under many criticisms for being too casual in his approach towards the virus. About 7.2 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the virus, and more than 206,000 people have died from COVID, according to a John Hopkins University tally.

The president was caught on tape admitting to intentionally taking the severity of the virus too casual. He also admitted that he overly promoted an optimistic outlook on the pandemic as it continued to ravage the economy.

“I think the virus is going to be—it’s going to be fine,” the President said in February. “Looks like by April, you know in theory when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.”

Contrary to his optimistic in February and the early months of the year, President Trump in Tuesday’s debate said the U.S. is “weeks away” from having a coronavirus vaccine.

As President Trump remains in quarantine and undergoes treatment, his second appearance at the next presidential debate has been rescheduled for October 15.