Possibility of Side Effects from FDA-Unapproved Treatments... Experts Warn "Condition May Suddenly Worsen"
White House Spokesperson and Others Infected One After Another... Personal Doctor Says "Must Monitor Until Weekend"
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Concerns about the health condition of U.S. President Donald Trump are growing as he was discharged just three days after being hospitalized with COVID-19. The side effects of the treatments administered to President Trump are still unclear, and COVID-19 is rapidly spreading within the White House. Experts do not rule out the possibility that President Trump's COVID-19 symptoms could worsen again.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 5th (local time) that "after President Trump tweeted that he would return to the White House, the medical team decided on his discharge," suggesting that he was discharged despite being in a serious condition.
White House physician Sean Conley said at a press conference that day, "The president has not taken any fever-reducing medication for 72 hours," and "he has already met the criteria necessary for discharge." However, he did not dismiss concerns, stating, "The COVID-19 treatments administered to the president are still in uncharted territory." He added, "We will monitor him through the weekend," and "Only if his condition remains stable or improves by next Monday (the 12th) can we breathe a sigh of relief."
Concerns are also growing because President Trump was prescribed Remdesivir, a treatment for severe COVID-19 patients, and the steroid Dexamethasone until the day before his discharge. The medical team has not provided specific answers to key questions about President Trump's lung function and other critical issues.
In particular, the antibody treatment from Regeneron administered to President Trump is known to have potential side effects. According to the New York Times (NYT), the Regeneron antibody treatment has not even received emergency approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was administered upon the medical team's request for "compassionate use." There are concerns that the side effects of this treatment cannot be accurately gauged. Compassionate use refers to the supply of a drug before official approval only in very urgent cases such as terminal cancer patients. Another treatment used, Dexamethasone, has been reported to cause side effects such as vision impairment, potential heart disease, and increased aggression.
Experts are warning that President Trump's condition may worsen after discharge. Celine Gounder, a professor at New York University, said, "If his condition worsens at the White House, it could be catastrophic," adding, "This is not safe."
The situation at the White House is also not good. According to the Washington Post (WP) and others, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive for COVID-19 that day. Two other staff members in the press office, Chad Gilmartin and Caroline Leavitt, also reportedly tested positive. McEnany held a briefing for reporters at the White House on the 1st, raising concerns that many reporters may have been infected with COVID-19.
On the same day, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), expressed concern in an interview with CNN regarding the multiple confirmed cases following the Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nominee event held in the Rose Garden on the 26th of last month, stating, "All attendees should undergo contact tracing."
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