Political leaders have been wishing US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump a speedy recover after the pair tested positive for Covid-19, according to a tweet from Mr Trump early on Friday morning.
The news came after it was announced on Thursday that senior Trump aide, Hope Hicks had tested positive.
Speaking a short while ago, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he hopes President Trump and the First Lady will have a swift recovery.
"I would like t wish President Trump and his wife Melania the very best in terms of wishing them a speedy recovery.
"It is difficult for them, testing positive for Covid-19, but I think it reminds us all of the prevalence of this virus."
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also sent well wishes to the Trumps: "We all want to send our best to the President and the First Lady. I am sure they will both stage a very strong recovery.
Earlier Mr Trump tweeted: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for Covid-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!”
The development comes a month before the US election on November 3rd.
Mr Trump is now expected to be in quarantine for some two weeks while facing treatment for the disease.
The president is 74-years-old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from the virus.
The positive tests for the Trumps come as stark reminders that the coronavirus continues to spread, even as Mr Trump has tried desperately to suggest it no longer poses a danger.
Since it emerged earlier this year, Mr Trump, the White House and his campaign have played down the threat and refused to abide by basic public health guidelines — including those issued by his own administration — such as wearing masks in public and practicing social distancing.
Instead, Mr Trump has continued to hold campaign rallies that draw thousands of supporters.
On Thursday, he tweeted: “Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible!
“The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!”
Ms Hicks who serves as counsellor to the president and travelled with him to a rally on Wednesday, tested positive on Thursday.
The 31-year-old is the closest aide to Mr Trump to test positive so far.
The virus has killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected more than seven million nationwide.
Ms Hicks travelled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for a Minnesota rally on Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate against Joe Biden.
Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, as well as one of the president’s personal valets.
In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said: “The president takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”
“White House Operations collaborates with the physician to the president and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting Covid-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the president is traveling,” he added.
