Ex-US President Donald Trump was sicker than he admitted when he was rushed to hospital for treatment for Covid, it has been reported.
Despite triumphant claims he was ‘immune’ to the disease following his recovery, the New York Times now reports there were serious concerns he would have to be put on a ventilator.
Trump was admitted to hospital in October and was treated for the disease with steroids, antibiotics and a string of cutting edge therapies.
He went on to check himself out of Walter Reed military hospital before staging an elaborate arrival back at the White House.
In spite of soaring death tolls across the globe in a video he went on to claim the virus was really nothing to worry about.
The Times claims that when he was hospitalised last year Trump had severely depressed blood oxygen levels and officials were worried he would need to be put on a ventilator.
According to ‘sources familiar with his condition’ Trump was determined to have lung infiltrates, or substances such as fluid or bacteria inflaming the lungs.
His oxygen levels reportedly reached ‘the 80s’ despite Trump saying at the time his levels were above 90 per cent.
The NHS says anybody with Covid whose blood oxygen levels fall below 92 per cent should go to A&E or call 999 immediately.
White House doctor Sean P. Conley said at the time Trump “was doing very well”, did not need supplemental oxygen, and had received a first dose of Remdesivir, an intravenous antiviral drug.
Trump himself tweeted: “Going well, I think! Thank you to all. LOVE!!!”
CNN, however, reported an official stating there was “reason for concern” about his health and that the situation was “serious”.
But the aide also reassured the public that they should not be alarmed and said Trump was taking the situation “very seriously”.
After going on to recover from the disease Trump went on to release a video where he said “don’t be afraid of Covid,” and “don’t let it dominate you.”
In the tweet he said at the time: “Feeling really good. Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.
“We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago.”
At the time of that video and Trump’s bout with the disease more than 210,000 Americans had lost their lives since the start of the pandemic.
That grim figure now stands at 475,000 just four months later.