Trump's doctor says he is "not out of the woods," but is "cautiously optimistic"

White House deputy chief of staff for communications Dan Scavino said Saturday night that he has tested negative for the coronavirus. Scavino says he will take another test tomorrow morning and if it comes back negative he will go to Walter Reed Medical Center to work with President Trump and chief of staff Mark Meadows.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said on Fox News late Saturday that Mr. Trump is doing "very well" and Meadows is "very optimistic."

Meadows said Mr. Trump does not have a fever and the president is "doing really well with his oxygen saturation levels."

"Yesterday morning, we were real concerned with that — he had a fever and his blood oxygen level had dropped rapidly," Meadows said. "And yet, in typical style, this president was up and walking around, and even as the experts from the medical facilities, not only at Walter Reed but also Johns Hopkins, got there, they looked at his situation, recommended that out of an abundance of caution, he come here to Walter Reed. But he's been — he's been an outstanding patient, with one exception — he continues to work and continues to believe that he's got to get a number of things done for the American people."

Meadows said transferring power to Vice President Mike Pence was "never a consideration." 

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany late Saturday released another memo from Dr. Sean Conley, President Trump's physician. Conley said Mr. Trump "continues to do well, having made substantial progress since his diagnosis," but said Mr. Trump is "not yet out of the woods."

Conley said Mr. Trump completed his second dose of remdesivir "without complication." Mr. Trump remains fever-free and is off supplemental oxygen, with saturation level between 96-98%. 

"He spent most of the afternoon conducting business, and has been up and moving around the medical facility without difficulty," Conley said.

Conley said that while Mr. Trump is "not yet out of the woods," the team is "cautiously optimistic." 

Mr. Trump will continue to take remdesivir on Sunday and will be closely monitored.

Joe Biden's campaign said late Saturday it will release all the results of previous COVID-19 tests going forward.

"We have adhered to strict and extensive safety practices recommended by public health experts and doctors in all of our campaigning — including social distancing, mask wearing, and additional safeguards," campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement sent to CBS NEWS. "Vice President Biden is being tested regularly, and we will be releasing the results of each test."

Biden told reporters after leaving church Saturday evening in Wilmington, Delaware, that he will be tested again for the coronavirus on Sunday. 

He only began taking tests for the virus in August as his staff insisted all summer that regular testing of staffers around him and his U.S. Secret Service detail was sufficient. But after relentless questions from the press about why the elderly candidate had not yet been tested, they announced a testing schedule after the Democratic National Convention. 

Biden and his aides have so far declined to say how often he is tested and which specific test he is administered.

President Trump released a four-minute video on Twitter on Saturday evening saying he was feeling "much better" since being admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center the day before.

"I came here, I wasn't feeling well, I feel much better," Mr. Trump said. "We're working hard to get me all the way back, I have to be back because we still have to make America great again."

Mr. Trump added that "I think I'll be back soon."

Mr. Trump thanked well-wishers and other world leaders for their messages of support. Although he did not directly address questions that have arisen about his decision to go out after top aide Hope Hicks tested positive and even campaign amid the pandemic, Mr. Trump said "I had no choice because I just didn't want to stay in the White House."

"I was given that alternative, stay in the White House, lock yourself in, don't ever leave, don't even go to the Oval Office," Mr. Trump said. " Just stay upstairs and enjoy it, don't see people, don't talk to people and be done with it. I can't do that, I had to be up front. This is America, this is the United States, this is the greatest country in the world. This is the most powerful country in the world. I can't be locked up in a room upstairs and totally safe and just say — 'hey whatever happens, happens.' We have to confront problems. As a leader, you have to confront problems. There's never been a great leader who has done that."

President Trump, who was admitted to Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday for COVID-19 treatment, is "still not on a clear path to recovery," a source familiar with the president's health said Saturday. CBS News White House correspondent Paula Reid joins "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell for an update on the president's health.

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was admitted to the hospital as a "precautionary measure," he tweeted on Saturday night. Christie confirmed earlier in the day that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

"While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure," Christie tweeted. "I am thankful for our hardworking medical professionals and look forward to coming home soon."

Christie helped President Trump with debate prep ahead of Tuesday's debate and then provided analysis for ABC News on debate night. Members of ABC News staff who came in close contact with him were asked to self-isolate.

The Trump campaign is holding an all-call with campaign manager Bill Stepien and staff members this afternoon to discuss the path forward. It is one of at least three calls Stepien, who has tested positive for the virus, hosted Saturday with key staff and supporters.

The campaign held a previously scheduled "Team Trump" bus tour today in Iowa. The bus heads west to Nevada and Arizona after Iowa. Masks were not required at Saturday's bus tour events. 

There's no indication that health or safety protocols at these campaign events will change – temperature checks will still take place and masks and hand sanitizer will continue to be provided on site.

The vice president continues to be tested every day. He will vote in-person, in Indiana, following his Arizona trip next week in hopes of encouraging the same among the president's die-hard supporters.

In light of Stepien's self-isolation, CBS News was told that deputy campaign manager Justin Clark is overseeing day-to-day operations. But, this does not deviate much from the norm, as Stepien typically dips in and out of the White House, while Clark reports to Arlington every day.

The Trump campaign has no plans to pull negative ads in light of the Biden campaign's decision to do so.
Regarding Wednesday's debate, a campaign senior adviser told CBS News that "both campaigns have agreed to a 12-foot separation seated at a table." CBS News has asked several times if the campaign will require mask wearing in the debate hall, but have been given no indication this will happen.

While there are no doubt serious complications to POTUS' retreat from the public eye, campaign officials view their built-up ground game as a serious advantage in the final months. They've noted an "outpouring of love" from the president's many supporters and are looking to mobilize that in the form of door knocks and phone banks.

A White House official told CBS News on Saturday that the administration learned of Hope Hicks's positive test on Thursday, "minutes" before the president was supposed to leave for New Jersey. Several staff members were pulled from the trip at that time. Only a small group was made aware of her diagnosis at that time — the official couldn't confirm POTUS was told then but assumes he was.

The official said the president seemed "a little bit more tired than normal," but again, they attributed that to the very late night arrivals back at the White House on Tuesday and Wednesday. "Tired for him is relative," the official said. 

Earlier on Thursday, "he was in great spirits, he was excited about the day," was still talking about the debates and the upcoming rallies in Florida.

The official said the president did not get a rapid test until after his return from New Jersey. Marine One landed just before 6 p.m., the official wasn't sure how immediately after that he took the test. The rapid test was undertaken because of Hicks' diagnosis. The rapid coronavirus test came back positive, which prompted the PCR test to confirm. The officials said that when the president called into Hannity, he had already received the positive rapid test and was awaiting the PCR results. They came late Thursday evening, and he tweeted the results shortly after. The president had also held several tele-rallies that evening before Hannity; the official wasn't sure if he had the positive diagnosis at that point or not.

The official said the president had not exhibited symptoms in New Jersey — no cough or nasal congestion. The official noted he seemed "a little tired," though they had chalked that up to the late returns to the White House the previous two nights. The official could not confirm at what time Thursday night the President developed a fever.

Asked repeatedly why the president had not taken a test prior to his departure to New Jersey upon the White House learning of Hope's positive result, the official said they assumed that the president had received a negative test earlier in the day, but was unable to confirm whether that was the case. The official noted the president has said in the past both that he is tested "regularly" and "daily." The official noted they are not able to do the rapid test on the road. 

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted on Saturday afternoon that he had spoken to Mr. Trump by phone, and that the president "sounds well."

"Just had another great call with @POTUS. He sounds well and says he's feeling good. We talked about the people's business — fighting the pandemic, confirming Judge Barrett, and strengthening the economy for American families. Let's keep our President & First Lady in our prayers," McConnell said.

McConnell announced earlier on Saturday that he would seek to obtain a consent agreement for the Senate to meet in pro forma sessions until October 19. However, he said that the Judiciary Committee would continue with confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett as planned.

Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, who has tested positive for COVID-19, said in a statement that the campaign would launch "Operation MAGA" for surrogates to take to the campaign trail while the president is recuperating.

"Operation MAGA will fire up the entire MAGA universe to keep President Trump's campaign at full speed until our Commander-in-Chief returns to the campaign trail," Stepien said. "Vice President Mike Pence, the First Family, our coalitions, and our grassroots supporters will be out in full force to show the real enthusiasm behind the President's re-election and to show we're working as hard as he always does."

Vice President Mike Pence and members of Mr. Trump's family will make appearances in key swing states in the coming days, the statement said. 

Two sources say President Trump received oxygen at the White House Friday before heading to Walter Reed, CBS News White House correspondent Paula Reid reports. 

It is unclear, however, if he needed the oxygen. Reid reports she was told this is default for patients in this situation and it is unclear whether he had trouble breathing and actually needed it. This may be standard medical protocol and not an indication that Mr. Trump was suffering shortness of breath.

The president's physician on Saturday declined to say whether the president had received oxygen treatment previously, simply telling reporters that he was not on oxygen Thursday, at Walter Reed on Friday, or on Saturday.

"No oxygen, none at this moment, and yesterday with the team when we were all here, he was not on oxygen," Dr. Sean Conley said, referring to Mr. Trump's arrival at the hospital.

Vice President Mike Pence said in a tweet Saturday: "Keep those prayers coming America!"

"President @realDonaldTrump 'doing very well' at @WRBethesda and @FLOTUS 'doing great' convalescing at home," he tweeted. "Grateful to God and the incredible medical team  caring for our friends. Keep those prayers coming America!"

The president's physician said in a memorandum Saturday that he misspoke when he said earlier that the president was "72 hours into the diagnosis" and that Mr. Trump received antibody treatment 48 hours ago. 

"This morning while summarizing the president's health, I incorrectly used the term 'seventy two hours' instead of 'day three' and 'forty eight hours' instead of 'day two' with regards to his diagnosis and the administration of the polyclonal antibody therapy. The president was first diagnosed with COVID-19 on Thursday, October 1st and received Regeron's antibody cocktail on Friday, October 2nd," Dr. Sean Conley said, misspelling Regeneron. 

Conley's comments to the press earlier on Saturday led to confusion about when the president knew he had COVID-19. Mr. Trump announced in a tweet very early Friday morning that he had tested positive for the virus. 

In his first tweet of the day, President Trump thanked the staff of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he spent the night. 

"Doctors, Nurses and ALL at the GREAT Walter Reed Medical Center, and others from likewise incredible institutions who have joined them, are AMAZING!!! Tremendous progress has been made over the last 6 months in fighting this PLAGUE. With their help, I am feeling well!" Mr. Trump tweeted.

Although the president's physician, Dr. Sean Conley, told reporters that the president was in "good spirits" on Saturday, a source familiar with the president's health later said the president's "vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced the Senate will meet in pro forma sessions for the next two weeks and resume in-person business on October 19, after three Republican senators tested positive for COVID-19 in two days. The Senate was initially scheduled to meet next week, but McConnell said "previously-scheduled floor activity will be rescheduled until after October 19." 

However, McConnell said the Senate Judiciary Committee will continue with confirmation hearings for Judge Amy Coney Barrett beginning on October 12 as planned. 

"The Senate's floor schedule will not interrupt the thorough, fair, and historically supported confirmation process previously laid out by Chairman Graham," McConnell said. 

Two members of the committee, Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, have tested positive for the virus. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed McConnell's announcement in a statement. 

"If it's too dangerous to have the Senate in session it is also too dangerous for committee hearings to continue. Leader McConnell and Chairman Graham's monomaniacal drive to confirm Judge Barrett at all costs needlessly threatens the health and safety of Senators, staff, and all those who work in the Capitol complex," Schumer said. 

A source familiar with the president's health said Saturday that his "vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care." 

"We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery," the source said. 

The comment was made as President Trump's physician on Saturday said the president is doing "very well" as he is treated for COVID-19 at Walter Reed. Dr. Sean Conley had said Mr. Trump's symptoms, including a cough and nasal congestion, "are now resolving and improving." 

"He's in exceptionally good spirits," said Sean Dooley, another doctor. 

Dr. Sean Conley, the president's physician, told reporters Saturday that the president was fever-free, but sidestepped several questions about whether Mr. Trump had received oxygen treatment. 

"This morning, the president is doing very well," Conley told reporters, saying the president was "just 72 hours into the diagnosis now," and the first week of the illness is the most critical. 

"At this time, the team and I are extremely happy with the progress the president has made," Conley continued. He added that "the president has been fever-free for over 24 hours." 

Conley said he did not want to put a "hard date" for when Mr. Trump would be discharged. Conley repeatedly avoided questions about whether the president was treated with supplemental oxygen prior to Saturday, before finally saying that he was not on oxygen on Thursday and had not been treated with oxygen when the president was at Walter Reed on Friday. 

He declined to disclose the president's temperature when he had a fever, but said that the president had been feverish from Thursday into Friday. Conley also avoided answering questions about when the president had been infected. 

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who participated in debate prep with President Trump, announced on Twitter that he has tested positive for COVID-19. 

"I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19," he said. "I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition."

The Trump campaign announced Saturday that Vice President Mike Pence will host a campaign event in Arizona on October 8, the day after he is scheduled to debate Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Pence will host the "Make America Great Again!" event in Peoria.

Pence tested negative for coronavirus on Friday and Saturday, after President Trump announced he tested positive for COVID-19 early Friday morning. 

The Trump campaign has frequently held events with limited social distancing and without mask mandates. 

Stephanie Grisham, the spokesperson for first lady Melania Trump, told CBS News in a statement that the first lady is "doing well" after testing positive for COVID-19.

"Her symptoms have not worsened and she continues to rest," Grisham said. "She remains in touch with her husband. She is thinking of all who are ill and wishes them a speedy recovery."

The first lady did not travel to Walter Reed with her husband on Friday.

A spokesperson confirmed that Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence were tested Saturday morning for COVID-19 and received negative results. The two also tested negative on Friday. 

The official told CBS News that Pence will host a White House Coronavirus Task Force call at 2:30 p.m. Eastern. 

Senior Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller, who was involved in the president's debate prep, confirmed to CBS News that he has tested negative for COVID-19. He had traveled to and from the debate on Air Force One on Tuesday. 

Hope Hicks and Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien, who were also on the plane, have since tested positive for the coronavirus.

Senator Ron Johnson tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, his spokesperson announced on Saturday. Johnson is the third Republican senator to test positive for the virus in two days.

Johnson's spokesperson said he was exposed to someone who tested positive for the virus on September 14, and then stayed in quarantine for 14 days and tested negative twice.

"He returned to Washington on Sept. 29 and shortly after was exposed to an individual who has since tested positive. After learning of this exposure, the senator was tested yesterday afternoon. This test came back positive," the spokesperson said. 

"Senator Johnson feels healthy and is not experiencing symptoms. He will remain isolated until given the all-clear by his doctor."

Senators Mike Lee and Thom Tillis have also tested positive for the virus. 

Bill Stepien, President Trump's campaign manager, has tested positive for COVID-19,  according to a senior campaign official. Stepien, 42, plans to quarantine until he recovers.

Stepien was diagnosed Friday and had experienced "mild flu-like symptoms," the senior campaign official said. 

Deputy campaign manager Justin Clark is expected to oversee the Trump team's headquarters while Stepien works from home, though campaign officials indicate he will still lead the campaign operation.

In the coming days, the campaign plans to launch surrogates for in-person events, including Vice President Mike Pence, Trump's sons Don Jr. and Eric and the president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump.

President Trump's physician said Friday night that the president has started remdesivir therapy and is doing "very well," according to a statement tweeted by Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany. 

"This evening I am happy to report that the President is doing very well," he wrote. "He is not requiring any supplemental oxygen, but in consultation with specialists we have elected to initiate Remdesivir therapy. He has completed his first dose and is resting comfortably."

President Trump tweeted an update from the hospital late Friday night. "Going welI, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!" the president wrote.

This is the first time the president has tweeted since he was hospitalized after contracting the coronavirus. Hours earlier, he tweeted a video of himself in the White House in which he said "I think I'm doing very well, but we're going to make sure that things work out."  

Kellyanne Conway, former senior adviser to President Trump, tweeted late Friday that she tested positive for COVID-19. 

"My symptoms are mild (light cough) and I'm feeling fine. I have begun a quarantine process in consultation with physicians," she said. 

She is the latest member of the Trump orbit to test positive, after top aide Hope Hicks tested positive on Thursday.