Trump hospitalised for Covid-19

United States President, Donald Trump, has been flown to hospital less than 24 hours after testing positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).

The White House said the decision to transport him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center was taken “out of an abundance of caution”.

Trump began exhibiting “mild symptoms” of Covid-19 on Thursday after disclosing that he and his wife had gone into quarantine late Wednesday.

The White House said he was feeling “fatigued but in good spirits”.

Wearing a mask and suit, the president walked out across the White House lawn on Friday afternoon to his helicopter, Marine One, for the short trip to hospital.

He waved and gave a thumbs-up to reporters but said nothing before boarding the aircraft.

Trump’s symptoms include a low-grade fever, according to the BBC’s US partner, CBS News.

Walter Reed, in the Washington DC suburbs, is one of America’s largest and most renowned military medical centres. It is where US presidents usually go for their annual check-ups.

White House communications director, Alyssa Farah, said the president had not transferred his powers to Vice-President Mike Pence.

The latest development comes just about a month before presidential elections, in which Trump will face Democratic Party challenger, Joe Biden.