Sources: President Donald Trump Planning Visit To Beaver County On Monday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- President Donald Trump plans to visit Beaver County on Monday, sources tell KDKA.
Two sources with knowledge of the plans say that the president will be in the area next week.
WATCH: President Trump Planning Visit To Beaver County
Earlier in the day, Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh officials say they have not yet received any official notification from the Trump re-election campaign on when President Trump will visit the county.
The news comes as President Trump's physician, Sean Conley, said in a memo the president has finished his course of therapy for coronavirus.
According to CDC guidelines, people who are infected can be around others if they meet three criteria: it's been 10 days since the first symptoms, 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medications and other symptoms of coronavirus are improving.
"Saturday will be day 10 since Thursday's diagnosis, and based on the trajectory of advanced diagnostics the team has been conducting, I fully anticipate the president's safe return to public engagements at that time," Conley's memo says.
Reports surfaced Wednesday night during the vice-presidential debate that Trump's campaign was considering a visit to Pittsburgh following his stay in the hospital for COVID-19.
City of Pittsburgh officials reiterating late this afternoon, no official word on the city's end. @KDKA
— MEGHAN SCHILLER (@MeghanKDKA) October 8, 2020
Reaction from local officials on the visit are mixed.
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald didn't mince words when telling President Donald Trump and his campaign team to steer clear of Pittsburgh next week.
"Thanks, but no thanks," Fitzgerald tweeted Wednesday night.
Thanks but no thanks.
After a spike this summer, we are doing very well on stopping the spread of #COVID19.
We won't jeopardize that success & I hope the *President of the United States* would never deliberately try to do so. https://t.co/rhSLSrrnSV
— Rich Fitzgerald (@votefitz) October 8, 2020
Fitzgerald tells KDKA's Meghan Schiller that he's fine with President Trump spreading his message to the people of Allegheny County - virtually.
Following the president's Coronavirus diagnosis, Fitzgerald says he would rather the incumbent's campaign learn to embrace virtual campaigning.
"Put something on a big screen by Zoom, by Microsoft Teams, by Skype, or whatever platform you want to use. You can get your message out, you can do your campaign speech," Fitzgerald said.
New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman was the first to tweet Wednesday night about the president's possible return to the campaign trail in Pittsburgh less than two weeks after his diagnosis.
On Twitter, she said, "Trump campaign is exploring having him hold an event (not a rally) in Pittsburgh on Monday, per 3 people familiar with the discussions."
TRUMP campaign is exploring having him hold an event (not a rally) in Pittsburgh on Monday, per 3 ppl familiar with the discussions. They're setting up possible travel plans for him all week, with later in the week seeming more solid.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 7, 2020
"Don't put the people of Allegheny County's health at risk," Fitzgerald said. "We've done a good job holding our numbers where they are, that type of event would be very irresponsible."
However, local Republicans disagree.
"I mean it would be one of those things I would consider going, if I was available, but I would be wearing a mask," Allegheny County Councilwoman Cindy Kirk said.
Kirk says even the potential for a visit, excites Trump supporters.
"There's excitement, because you draw it from the other people also," Kirk said.
She said this highlights the important role Western Pennsylvania is playing in this election.
"I actually made a couple quick calls and everything was real vague and unsure, and it's probably based on the fact that even though he could technically, by CDC standards, go out in 10 days, post-first symptom, he also probably wants to make sure he has those two negatives before he even says anything," Fitzgerald said.
Mayor Bill Peduto is also urging him to stay put.
"I would urge the president and his campaign staff to consider the people of Western Pennsylvania and their health before the immediacy of having a personal gathering," Peduto said.
I thought those who even were in the presence of COVID-19 are to quarantine for 14 days? One sure way that Pittsburgh's residents can be heard...
Vote...like your life depends on it. https://t.co/k6vQqlDMAX
— bill peduto (@billpeduto) October 8, 2020
Fitzgerald said he's looking into what options he would have to block any potential visit from happening.
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