The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

President’s blood oxygen levels dropped twice in recent days, doctors say

On Oct. 3, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley said President Trump was not given supplemental oxygen to treat his coronavirus diagnosis. The next day, he backtracked. (Video: The Washington Post)
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October 4, 2020 at 10:01 p.m. EDT

President Trump’s condition has “improved,” according to White House physician Sean Conley, but the president experienced significant oxygen drops on Friday and Saturday and was given dexamethasone — a steroid that is typically reserved only for severely ill coronavirus patients.

Trump’s doctors said he has had no fever since Friday morning, however, and could be discharged as early as Monday. Conley declined to answer questions about the president’s lungs, including whether there is scarring or whether Trump has pneumonia.

Aides and doctors have sowed confusion in recent days about Trump’s health status and the timeline of his treatment and diagnosis. The White House on Sunday falsely suggested that doctors did not previously disclose Trump’s use of supplemental oxygen because they lacked the information.  

Here are some significant developments:

  • Joe Biden tested negative for the third time since he was potentially exposed at Tuesday’s presidential debate, his campaign said Sunday night. The Democratic nominee is not yet in the clear, however, because most people incubate the virus for two to 14 days before testing positive or showing symptoms.
  • Conley is drawing mounting scrutiny for his rosy assessments of Trump’s health.
  • The president says he had no choice but to risk his own health. A large majority of Americans disagree.
  • The White House gave more than 200 names to officials tracing attendees at a campaign fundraiser held at Trump’s New Jersey golf club hours before the president’s diagnosis became public, state authorities said Sunday.
  • Trump’s illness halted his campaign just when it needed an October boost.
  • The prospect of Trump’s early hospital discharge has mystified doctors.
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Here's what to know:

Joe Biden tested negative for the third time since he was potentially exposed at Tuesday’s presidential debate, his campaign said Sunday night. The Democratic nominee is not yet in the clear, however, because most people incubate the virus for two to 14 days before testing positive or showing symptoms.
Conley is drawing mounting scrutiny for his rosy assessments of Trump’s health.
The president says he had no choice but to risk his own health. A large majority of Americans disagree.
The White House gave more than 200 names to officials tracing attendees at a campaign fundraiser held at Trump’s New Jersey golf club hours before the president’s diagnosis became public, state authorities said Sunday.
Trump’s illness halted his campaign just when it needed an October boost.
The prospect of Trump’s early hospital discharge has mystified doctors.

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