Mike Pence tests negative for coronavirus ahead of debate and rally

The VP still intends to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah on Monday

Vice president Mike Pence and his wife Karen tested negative for Covid-19 on Saturday morning.  

Mr Pence still plans to travel to Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday. 

The VP and Democratic vice presidential nominee Senator Kamala Harris will participate in a debate in the city on Wednesday. He will also attend a campaign rally next week.

The president’s office said that he and Mr Pence would maintain their daily discussions via phone calls while Mr Trump is being treated for Covid-19 at Walter Reed Medical Centre in Maryland. 

Following Mr Pence's first coronavirus test on Friday, his doctor released a statement that said the vice president did not need to quarantine.  

In the letter, the doctor said Mr Pence could "go about his normal activities" because he "is not considered a close contact with any individuals who have tested positive for Covid, including President Donald J Trump."

The Trump re-election campaign said on Saturday that the VP will make a campaign stop in a Phoenix suburb on Thursday.

Mr Pence will host a general-admission midday event at TYR Tactical in Peoria. 

The announcement of Pence’s planned Arizona stop followed Trump’s cancellation of multiple planned campaign stops after he contracted Covid-19. Those included Arizona rallies that were scheduled in the coming week in Tucson and Flagstaff.

Democrats Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have scheduled their first trip to Arizona on Thursday, though the campaign has not said where in the state they’ll appear or what sort of event they’ll hold.

Mr Trump and Mr Pence have campaigned extensively in Arizona as they strive to keep a longtime Republican stronghold in their column.

Additional reporting by Associated Press