The president is often seen without a mask, prompting questions about whether or not this led to his contracting COVID-19.
[Ads /]
RELATED: President Donald Trump, first lady test positive for coronavirus
Dr. Alok Patel joined ABC7 News to discuss this, and what the White House doctors need to do next.
He began by reminding us, "beyond the politics this is still a very serious medical condition."
Patel says he expects Trump's medical team will monitor this extremely closely with routine checks.
In addition, with how many people are around the president, in the White House, and on Air Force 1, contact tracers have a huge job on their hands.
[Ads /]
RELATED: Face masks may reduce COVID-19 severity, UCSF study suggests
They will be working at a rapid pace, looking at anyone the president and first lady were in contact with in the past two days.
Potentially a lot of people, an "alarming amount" are going to need repeated testing and to go into quarantine, Patel says.
The first reports are that both President Trump and Melania are feeling well. However, because of Trump's age, he is in a high risk group.
As for the lack of mask-wearing sometimes seen by the president, "The last thing we want to do is blame the patient," says Patel. "But no one around the president was wearing a mask."
[Ads /]
Patel says this is a "wake-up call."
"This is a massive message that's going to be heard all over the world about the seriousness of the virus."
If you have a question or comment about the coronavirus pandemic, submit yours via the form below or here.
- COVID-19 Help: Comprehensive list of resources, information
- Watch list: Counties where COVID-19 is getting worse
- MAP: Everything that's open, forced to close in Bay Area
- Everything to know about CA's confusing reopening plan, summer shutdown and what comes next
- From salons to dinner parties: Experts rate the risk of 12 activities
- Coronavirus origin: Where did COVID-19 come from?
- Life after COVID-19: Here's what restaurants, gyms will look like
- What is a COVID-19 genetic, antigen and antibody test?
- What will it take to get a COVID-19 vaccine and how will it be made?
- What does COVID-19 do to your body and why does it spread so easily?
- Here's how shelter in place, stay at home orders can slow spread of COVID-19
- Coronavirus Timeline: Tracking major moments of COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco Bay Area
- Experts compare face shield vs. face mask effectiveness
- COVID-19 Diaries: Personal stories of Bay Area residents during novel coronavirus pandemic
- Coronavirus Doctor's Note: Dr. Alok Patel gives his insight into COVID-19 pandemic