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Pence, wife Karen test negative for Covid-19 after coming in contact with Trump, Internet asks him to quarantine

The press secretary said that the Pences continue to remain in good health and have wished the Trumps well in their recovery

Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence have tested negative for the novel coronavirus, Press Secretary Devin O'Malley announced on Friday morning, October 2. The announcement was made hours after President Donald Trump announced that he and the First Lady Melania Trump had tested positive for Covid-19. White House advisor Hope Hicks has also confirmed that she has tested positive for the virus. O'Malley, in a tweet, wrote: "As has been routine for months, Vice President Pence is tested for Covid-19 every day. This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for Covid-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery."

Hours before Trump and the first lady tested positive for Covid-19, the president had addressed the nation in a "raspy" voice, stating that the end of the novel coronavirus pandemic was "in sight." Trump, during the annual AI Smith dinner on Thursday, October 1, had said: "Through advances in treatment, we have reduced the fatality rate by 85 percent since just April." The event, this year, was held online as a precautionary measure considering the pandemic.

"We're on track to develop and distribute our vaccine before the end of the year, maybe substantially before. And I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight," the president had said at the event. However, within hours, the first couple confirmed that they had tested positive for Covid-19 and that they would quarantine together.

Trump tweeted: "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" The first lady soon wrote a similar message to her followers on Twitter, writing: "As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together."

A White House source, while speaking to Fox News, said that Trump and the first lady are feeling "fine" and are currently in the quarantine process at the White House.  According to officials, the last time Pence and Trump came in close contact was on Tuesday morning, September 29, in the Oval Office. Trump and Pence have been regularly tested for the highly contagious virus along with the most officials and staff who come in close proximity to the two.

The Trumps' diagnosis came hours after it was revealed that senior White House adviser Hope Hicks had tested positive for the virus. Hicks, at the time, had been traveling with the president and began exhibiting symptoms of the virus on Wednesday night, September 30. She was later quarantined on Air Force One after being tested on Thursday, October 1.

Trump’s positive diagnosis makes him among the handful of world leaders who have tested positive for Covid-19, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and  Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Many social media users responded to the news, with some speculating that the Pences should also be self-isolating considering they came in contact with the Trumps. While some directed tweets at Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris to stay far away from Pence during the 2020 vice presidential debate. One user wrote: "When was his last exposure to POTUS, FLOTUS or Hope Hicks? It can take several days for tests to show positive. He should quarantine 14 days from his last exposure."

While another added: "@KamalaHarris stay 50 feet away from this guy at the debate and make sure his entourage are forced to wear masks." A third wrote: "What a lovely luxury when people who actually need tests can't get them. You could word this to avoid spotlighting that. He still needs to quarantine. You and others need to protect yourselves from them. It's not uncommon for it to take 10 days to replicate enough for a +."