US President Donald Trump was released from Walter Reed Medical Center on Monday evening following four days of emergency treatment for COVID-19.
A mask-wearing Trump emerged from the front doors of the hospital, flashing a thumbs-up at reporters as he boarded Marine One for a short helicopter ride back to the White House — which he left on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19 and falling ill.
Upon arrival at the White House, Trump quickly removed his mask for a photo op with photographers and saluted. The president remained maskless as staffers approached to greet him.
In a video statement recorded on the White House balcony, Trump downplayed the effects of the virus and told Americans to “get out there.”
“Don’t let it [coronavirus] dominate. Don’t let it take over your lives,” he said.
Trump, who is still infected with the virus and likely contagious, plans on continuing his treatment for the illness at the White House.
Earlier Monday, the president announced he would be leaving the military hospital, writing in a series of Tweets that he was “feeling really good” and that he “will be back on the campaign trail soon.”
The virus has so far killed more than 210,000 Americans and infected over 7.4 million people, with Trump facing criticism for his pandemic response.
Source : Agencies
