Trump takes new virus test, tests negative again

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he tested negative for COVID-19 after taking a second test. Trump used the new test developed by Abbott Laboratories that can reportedly detect the new coronavirus in as little as five minutes.

Trump announced his test results during a White House briefing. The cartridge-based test was approved last week.

During the briefing, Trump also made a plea to health care workers to aid New York hospitals and medical centers. He urged them to visit nyc.gov/helpnow.

"They need help now. They need people to help them," he said. The COVID-19 death toll in New York had surpassed 2,300 on Thursday.

The president used the briefing to take a jab a congressional Democrats, saying, "It's not any time for witch hunts. It's time to get this enemy defeated."

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.