News: 08/10/2020

Covid: Trump describes his illness as 'a blessing from God'

US President Donald Trump says he feels great after his Covid-19 illness, describing it as "a blessing from
God".
Mr Trump returned to the Oval Office on Wednesday, officials said, less than a week after testing positive.
The president has had no Covid-19 symptoms for more than 24 hours and has been fever-free for more than
four days, his doctor, Sean Conley, said.
In a video message on Wednesday, Mr Trump said all Americans should have access to the treatments he was
given.
Mr Trump also promised to provide the drugs produced by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals free of charge.
He said the experimental antibody cocktail he was given last week was a cure rather than a therapeutic measure,
adding that hundreds of thousands of doses were nearly ready. But Regeneron's drugs have not been approved
by federal regulators.
"This was a blessing in disguise - I caught it, I heard about this drug, I said let me take it and it was incredible,"
he said, adding that he would seek emergency use authorisations for the drugs.
President Trump renewed his attacks on China, telling Americans: "You're not going to pay for it. It wasn't your
fault that this happened. It was China's fault. And China is going to pay a big price. This was China's fault."
Earlier, Dr Conley said the president had not needed any supplemental oxygen since going to hospital on
Friday. He was discharged on Monday.
Mr Trump's supporters say that he has shown leadership since his release from hospital. But his opponents say
his behaviour has become increasingly erratic.
The White House has also set out new safety measures after President Trump's return from hospital and the
news that another aide had Covid-19.
The presidential election is on 3rd November. One key issue in the run-up to polling day is a coronavirus
stimulus package for the economy. Mr Trump appeared to abandon negotiations with the Democrats on
Tuesday, only to say later he would agree to some measures individually.

What's the latest on Trump's health?

"His physical exam and vital signs, including oxygen saturation and respiratory rate, all remain stable and in
normal range," a health report from Dr Conley said.
It added: "The president's labs demonstrated detectable levels of SARS-CoV-2-IgG antibodies on Monday
October 5th."
Levels drawn last Thursday had shown "undetectable" antibodies.
"We'll continue to closely monitor and I will update you as I know more," the doctor said.
The body makes antibodies to help fight the infection, and coronavirus antibodies in the blood indicate a person
has had the virus. However, it remains unknown whether their presence will prevent the person getting the virus
again.