Washington: After days of resistance, President Donald Trump said Saturday that he was tested for the coronavirus as the White House stepped up precautions after his direct and indirect exposures to COVID-19.
Trump also told reporters at a White House briefing that he had his temperature taken before stepping into the room and it was ``totally normal.''
Trump had held out on testing for days, despite his interactions with at least three people who have since tested positive. Trump had said Friday that he would probably take the test at some point, but the White House doctor said as recently as Friday night that no test was called for because he wasn't exhibiting symptoms.
But the president said he'd gone ahead with it after repeated questions from reporters at a news conference Friday.
On Saturday, the White House announced that it is now conducting temperature checks on anyone who is in close contact with Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, including reporters attending the Saturday White House briefing.
The move is being taken as a precaution in response to the coronavirus outbreak, said Judd Deere, a White House spokesman.
"Out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the President and Vice President," Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said in a statement.
