President Donald Trump said Monday he may undergo additional tests for the coronavirus after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was moved to intensive care to be treated for the disease.
‘I think we’ll probably have the be quite a few tests. It’s not the worst idea. You know, this system of testing now so quick and so easy,’ he said.
Johnson was transferred to the ICU at St Thomas’ Hospital in London Monday evening – 11 days after testing positive for the deadly disease. He asked foreign secretary Dominic Raab to deputize for him ‘where necessary.’
President Trump sent good wishes to Johnson.
‘I want to send best wishes to a great friend of mine, and a great friend of our nation, Boris Johnson,’ he said at the White House. ‘We are very saddened to hear that he was taken into intensive car this afternoon, a little while ago. Americans are all praying for him. He’s been a really good friend.’
‘He’s very strong, resolute. Doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up,’ he added.
President Trump has been tested twice for the coronavirus and gotten negative results both times. The president also revealed Vice President Mike Pence received a second coronavirus test on Monday.
‘And you were tested again today? Are you sure you’re okay?,’ he said to Pence.
‘I’m okay,’ Pence reassured him.
The president and vice president have not maintained the recommended six feet of separation as part of social distancing guidelines. Trump has defended that, saying the stage where they talk for the press briefing is too small to allow that.
The White House announced last week that anyone who comes into close proximity of the two men will be given a coronavirus test to limit ‘inadvertent transmission’ of the disease.
But the president did not answer when he will complete his annual presidential physical after prematurely completing the first part in an impromptu checkup in mid-November.
‘I had a physical, the first half was very successful,’ the president said Monday. ‘I did it on a day when I was in the White House were able to do that as the doctor reported. The second half of the physical. It’s probably done at Walter Reed and I will do that at the appropriate time. I feel very good. According to the doctor, very good shape.’