Confusion over Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis and health

A source familiar with the US President Donald Trump's health has told reporters that the next 48 hours will be critical in determining how he fares. Trump and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday.

The President's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care.

The source told White House pool reporters after the briefing from his doctors that they are still not on a clear path to a full recovery.

Moments earlier, the President's physician, Navy Cmdr. Dr. Sean Conley, had offered an upbeat assessment of the President's condition stating that he was feeling well, that he had been "fever-free" for 24 hours and that his symptoms which included an "extremely mild cough," nasal congestion and fatigue are resolving and improving."

CNN reported yesterday the President was having a hard time breathing.

Trump was transported to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center yesterday, a move that plunged the country into a deepening crisis as the circle of current and former aides to the President testing positive rapidly widened.

Trump is required to go into self-isolation for 10 days from receiving his positive Covid test on 2nd October, so he may still be able to take part in the next presidential debate, scheduled for 16 October.

A rally due to take place in Florida yesterday was scrapped.

President Trump's period of self-isolation clearly has an impact on his ability to campaign.

So the question has been raised as to whether the election could be delayed, and how this might happen.

The US presidential election is held by law on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, every four years - so this year it's on 3 November.

Changing the date would be up to US lawmakers, and not the president.

It would require a majority of them in both Houses of Congress to vote in favour of any change of date. That is unlikely, given that it would have to pass through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Even if it were changed, the US constitution rules that a presidential administration only lasts for four years. So, President Trump's term will automatically expire at noon on 20 January, 2021.

Changing this date would require an amendment to the constitution. This would have to be approved by two-thirds of US lawmakers or state-level legislatures, then three-quarters of US states - which is, again, unlikely.

What would happen if President Trump became incapacitated? If the president were to become too ill to carry out his duties, this is what the US constitution sets out:

The 25th Amendment allows a president to hand over power to the vice-president, which means Mike Pence would become acting president. Once fit again, Trump could reclaim his position.

[Source: BBC]