Trump's COVID-19 symptoms 'very concerning'; next 48 hours 'critical'

US President Donald Trump has been taken to a military hospital less than 24 hours after testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday amid reports that he is having "trouble breathing." 

"This is serious," the source told CNN, saying that Trump was "very tired, very fatigued" and claimed that his condition was much more severe than First Lady Melania Trump's. 

A source familiar with Trump’s situation said on Saturday some of the president’s vital signs over the last 24 hours were very concerning, and the next two days will be critical in terms of his care, Reuters reported.

The source, who requested not to be named, said the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of Trump’s care.

Trump says 'real test' ahead 

In a four-minute video message posted to Twitter on Saturday, Trump, however, vowed to “be back soon” and said he’s “doing well” as he battles the coronavirus.

He praised the “incredible” medical professionals at Walter Reed Medical Center, and thanked his well-wishers.

Trump said he’s “starting to feel good.”

“You don’t know, over the next period of a few days, I guess that’s the real test so we’ll be seeing what happens.”

“I came here, I wasn’t feeling so well. I feel much better now. We’re working hard to get me all the way back,” he said as he sat behind a desk, wearing a navy blazer and white shirt.

“I have to be back because we still have to make America great again. We’ve done an awfully good job of that, but we still have steps to go and we have to finish that job.

“I’ll be back, and I think I’ll be back soon,” he added.

Trump said that he’d been asked to stay safe in the White House, but he didn’t want to stay “locked up.”

“I had no choice. I just didn’t want to stay in the White House. I was given that alternative,” he said.

“‘Stay in the White House, lock yourself in, don’t ever leave, don’t even go to the Oval Office, just stay upstairs and enjoy it. Don’t see people, don’t talk to people.’

“I can’t do that,” Trump said.

pic.twitter.com/gvIPuYtTZG

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020

Trump 'not yet out of the woods': Doctor 

On Saturday night, White House physician Sean Conley released an update regarding Trump's COVID-19 treatment at the hospital, stating that the president received a second dose of Remdesivir "without complications."

The doctor added that the president is "not yet out of the woods." 

Trump was administered his first dose of Remdsesivir, an antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, on Friday night.

"President Trump continues to do well, having made substantial progress since diagnosis," Conley said, according to a memorandum tweeted by White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany.

"This evening he completed his second dose of Remdesivir, without complication. He remains fever free and off supplemental oxygen with a saturation level between 96 and 98% all day."

Trump arrived by helicopter at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington on Friday, where he will stay for "the next few days" for the virus treatment.

The White House said the decision to transport Trump to the military hospital was taken “out of an abundance of caution.”

It said Trump was feeling fatigued but in good spirits.

"At the recommendation of his physician and medical experts, the president will be working from the presidential offices at Walter Reed for the next few days," McEnany said.

In a video posted on Twitter before heading to the hospital, Trump said he was “doing very well.”

"I am going to Walter Reed hospital. I think I am doing very well. But we are going to make sure that things work out," Trump said. "The First Lady is doing very well.”

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However, Trump didn’t talk to reporters before boarding the helicopter.

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Trump’s contracting of the virus is a bracing reminder that the disease has to be taken seriously.

Trump announced on Thursday night that he and his wife Melania had tested positive for COVID-19 and were going into quarantine, just a month ahead of the presidential election.

Trump is at a high risk for a severe infection due to his advanced age and being overweight, according to reports.

Trump, who is 74-year-old, is five times more likely to get hospitalized and 90 times more likely to die from the virus complications than someone between the age of 18 and 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

COVID-19 complications, given Trump's age and weight, could kill him: Reports

Trump, who is 74-year-old, is 90 times more likely to die from the virus complications than someone between the age of 18 and 29, according to CDC.

Eight out of 10 coronavirus-related deaths reported in the United States have been among people aged 65 and older, The Hill reported.  

In June, the White House announced Trump weighed 244 pounds (110.6 kilograms) at 6 feet 3 inches tall, giving him a body mass index (BMI) of just over 30. Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or higher.

Obesity is one of the main underlying conditions that increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and may triple the risk of hospitalization.

According to a study published in Nature, older men appear to be up to twice as likely to die from COVID-19 complications compared to women of the same age.

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