Trump going to Walter Reed hospital after testing positive for COVID-19

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows talks to members of the media outside the West Wing of the White House on Oct. 2, 2020 in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON _ President Donald Trump is being transported to Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland "for the next few days" after being diagnosed with the coronavirus, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Friday evening.

Ever since receiving a positive COVID-19 test result in the early hours of the morning, Trump has been recovering in the residence on the second floor of the presidential mansion. Officials have characterized his symptoms as "mild," but the president developed a cough and a fever _ two common symptoms of the novel disease _ early in the day, according to media reports.