Trump appears in public as his doctor says he is no longer a transmission risk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – US President Donald Trump appeared back to his old self on Saturday as he addressed supporters at the White House in his first public event since being diagnosed with COVID-19 and his doctor said he was no longer a transmission risk.

Trump took a test on Saturday which showed that he was no longer a “transmission risk to others,” his physician Sean Conley said in a statement, adding that an assortment of tests taken by the president showed there was no longer evidence “of actively replicating virus.”

The White House had no immediate comment on whether Conley’s statement indicated that the president had tested negative for the coronavirus.

Standing alone and not wearing a mask, the Republican president spoke from a White House balcony on Saturday afternoon - his first public event since being diagnosed with the highly contagious disease. Trump was hospitalized on Oct. 2 for treatment of COVID-19, and returned to the White House on Monday.

Trump urged a packed crowd of hundreds of largely Black and Latino supporters, most wearing masks but not respecting social distancing guidelines, to help get out the vote in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Trump plans to travel to Florida, Pennsylvania, and Iowa, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, respectively.

“I’m feeling great,” he told the crowd.

Speaking firmly and without hesitation, Trump delivered a shorter-than-usual campaign speech, hailing his record in fighting crime and boosting the US economy, while slamming Democrats as his supporters cheered. A flesh-colored bandage was visible on his right hand.