BETHESDA, Md. (AP)  – The White House chief of staff says President Donald Trump went through a “very concerning” period Friday and the next 48 hours “will be critical in terms of his care” as he battles the coronavirus at a military hospital.

The comments on Saturday by Mark Meadows are in contrast to the rosy assessment of Trump’s condition offered by his doctors and other White House staff.

Trump’s physician took pains not to reveal the president had received supplemental oxygen at the White House on Friday before heading to the hospital.

Trump’s doctors updated the public on the president’s health at a press conference at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

The news of President Donald Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis serves as a reminder of the pervasive spread of the coronavirus in the United States.
U.S. infections have been rising for several weeks, a worrying sign with colder weather approaching. The response to the crisis rests largely with governors, which has meant a patchwork of approaches. Only a handful of countries rank higher in COVID-19 deaths per capita.

The U.S. leads the world with 7.3 million cases and more than 209,000 dead.