Trump returns to White House, urges people not to be afraid of COVID-19

US President Donald Trump returned on Monday to the White House following three nights in a military hospital where he was receiving treatment for COVID-19.

The president was shifted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after he tested COVID-19 positive. On his return to the White House, Trump was pictured alone on the Truman Balcony. The president removed his protective face mask, before giving a thumbs-up and a military-style salute.

"Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said in a video message. He said they have the best medical equipment, the best medicines, all developed recently.

He said as their leader he had to do that, knowing there's a danger to it, 'but I had to do it. I stood out front and led.' he said. "Now I'm better, maybe I'm immune, I don't know. Get out there. Be careful," he said.

However, the president has once again gained criticism for not wearing a mask on his return to the White House.

“I was aghast when he said COVID should not be feared,” said William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. He further said that coronavirus should be both respected and feared.

Joe Biden also hit back on Twitter with side-by-side images of himself donning a mask and Trump removing his.