Two customized Boeing 747s that serve as Air Force One and the fleet of helicopters that are used as Marine One presidential transports will be grounded for a “deep clean” following the disclosure that President Donald Trump has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Daily Mail reported without citing a source.
Besides Trump, first lady Melania Trump, presidential aide Hope Hicks and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, as well as three members of the presidential press corps also have tested positive, according to CNN, which quoted a memo obtained from the White House Correspondents Association.
One of the reporters who tested positive traveled with Trump on Air Force One for a mostly maskless rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, the Daily Mail said. The reporter began showing symptoms on Thursday.
The reporter had been wearing a mask, as did the other reporters.
However, Trump conducted an impromptu briefing on the plane for approximately 10 minutes, and because of engine noise on the aircraft, press members had to gather closely around to hear the president, the Daily Mail said.
Marine Helicopter Squadron One, known as HMX-1, based at Marine Base Quantico in Virginia, operates the fleet of Marine One helicopters, which includes Sikorsky SH-3 "Sea Kings" and VH-60N "White Hawks.”
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