The US President Donald Trump has tested positive for coronavirus.

In a twitter post, President Trump said he had tested positive for the virus along with the First Lady Melania Trump.

He said the pair would now "begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately."

We will get through this together," he wrote.

Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020

It comes after one of President Trump’s closest aides Hope Hicks tested positive overnight.

She had travelled with President Trump to this week’s Presidential Debate in Cleveland and then on to a rally in Minnesota.

President Trump confirmed her diagnosis in an interview on Fox News and said he would be getting tested.

He said he was “surprised” about her infection and noted that she often wears a mask.

“She is a hard worker,” he said. “She wears masks a lot but she tested positive and I just went out with a test and the first Lady just went out with a test also.

“It is very hard when you are with soldiers, when you are with airmen, when you are with marines and police officers, I am with them so much and when they come over to you it is very hard to say, ‘stay back, stay back,’ it is a tough situation; it is a terrible thing.”

US President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate, 29-09-2020. Image: Olivier Douliery/AP/Press Association Images

In a memo issued to reporters this morning, President Trump’s physician, Navy Commander Dr Sean Conley said he expected the president to “continue carrying out his duties without disruption” during his recovery.

“The President and First Lady are both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence,’ he wrote.

“The White House medical team and I will maintain a vigilant watch, and I appreciate the support provided by some of our country’s greatest medical professionals and institutions.

“Rest assured, I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any further developments.”

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