A Coronavirus outbreak in the White House resulted in 34 members and counting testing positive, including the President, the First Lady and several of their advisers as of Oct. 8.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, Trump hosted a ceremony for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett. None of the  guests obeyed social distancing rules and many didn’t wear masks inside and outside during the ceremony. Since then, at least eight of the participants have tested positive for COVID-19, including President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. 

Those of Trump’s inner circle that have tested positive for COVID-19 include Hope Hicks, former White House Communications Director; Stephen Miller, Senior Advisor to the President; Kellyanne Conway, former Counselor to the President; Ronna McDaniel, Chair of the Republican National Committee; Mike Lee, United States Senator, and Thom Tillis, United States Senator. Several others within the White House have also been infected by the outbreak.

The President was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after his positive test was announced on Oct. 1. Trump received experimental care and medicine that aren’t commonly available to COVID-19 sufferers. The treatment Trump received is undergoing trial, although he called it the cure.

By Sunday, hundreds of Trump supporters gathered outside of the hospital with MAGA flags and signs wishing the President well. Photos and video of the event showed that most of the group obeyed social distancing or facial mask mandates. Eyewitnesses describe in a Politico report of the event that the group became mildly violent and blared “Proud to Be an American,” as is usual during Trump rallies; police barricades contained the group later Sunday evening.

“Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life — I feel better than I did 20 years ago!” President Trump tweeted Monday morning, shortly before returning to the White House. 

Some of those who have been greatly affected by coronavirus withdrew support for the Trump Administration after this tweet. The virus does affect all people differently, though some believe that while he faced COVID in the hospital, he acquired quicker and more efficient care than the other 46,417 people who tested positive on Oct. 1. 

Controversy over how serious the White House takes the COVID-19 mandate hit its peak after Trump’s positive test. New research states that COVID-19 is not only contagious through a direct respiratory action (cough, sneeze, etc.), but through the air in aerosol particles that last for hours, especially in the cold. Trump and his administration claim but haven’t proven that they are taking precautions within the White House so those working in the West Wing can “feel comfortable.” Reporters say mask-wearing has been discouraged throughout the White House.

The next presidential debate is scheduled for Oct. 22, although this date may be postponed due to COVID presence throughout the White House recently.