Trump tells Americans to 'get out there' despite virus

US President wastes no time in removing his mask to pose for photos as he vows to get back on campaign trail soon

US President Donald Trump removes his mask after returning to the White House after being treated for Covid-19. AFP

US President Donald Trump prompted criticism after returning to the White House on Monday and immediately removing his mask following four days of emergency treatment for Covid-19 in hospital.

Shortly before, Mr Trump tweeted that Americans, who have lost more than 215,000 people to the virus, had nothing to fear.

"Don't let it dominate your life. Get out there, be careful," Mr Trump said in a video on Twitter.

"Now I'm better. Maybe I'm immune, I don't know."

A series of made-for-TV moments allowed him to squeeze the most from his medical discharge.

He started by leaving alone from the large gold-coloured front doors of the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington.

Live on television, Mr Trump then walked in a mask to a limousine and gave the thumbs-up, before boarding the Marine One helicopter for the quick flight to the White House, which he left on Friday after becoming ill.

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  US President Donald Trump leaves Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Washington after undergoing treatment for the coronavirus infection. Reuters

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  President Donald Trump supporters cheer outside the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda. AP Photo

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  US President Donald Trump wears a protective mask while boarding Marine One outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland. Bloomberg

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  Marine One lifts off from Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda. AP Photo

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  Marine One arrives at the South Lawn of the White House, carrying US President Donald Trump as he returns from Walter Reed hospital, in Washington, DC. EPA

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  President Donald Trump salutes Marine One as he stands on the balcony outside of the Blue Room as returns to the White House. AP Photo

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  President Donald Trump gives thumbs up as he stands on the Blue Room Balcony upon returning to the White House. AP Photo

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  Supporters of US President Donald Trump demonstrate in front of the Perez Art Museum, where his Democratic rival Joe Biden is delivering a speech, in Miami, Florida. EPA

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  Supporters and critics of US President Donald Trump clash outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda. Bloomberg

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  A supporter of US President Donald Trump holds a pen in his likeness outside Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in Bethesda. Bloomberg

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  US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House after returning from treatment at the Walter Reed Medical Centre for coronavirus, in Washington. Reuters

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  A cleaner at the White House sprays disinfectant in the James Brady Press Briefing room after US President Donald Trump return to the White House. EPA

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  A member of the White House cleaning staff sprays disinfectant in the press briefing room before US President Donald Trump's return from Walter Reed Medical Centre. Reuters

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  A cleaner at the White House sprays disinfectant after US President Donald Trump returned to the White House. EPA

His decision to go home despite his continued illness is putting new focus on the people around him who could be further exposed if he does not abide by strict isolation protocols.

Throughout the pandemic, White House custodians, ushers, kitchen staff and members of the US Secret Service have continued to show up for work in what is now a coronavirus hot spot, with more than a dozen known cases this week alone.

Mr Trump, still contagious, made it clear that he has little intention of abiding by best containment practices.

With less than a month until the election on November 3, polls show Mr Trump trailing Democratic candidate Joe Biden.

Mr Trump's time in hospital leaves him scrambling even harder to catch up.

The return to the White House was stage-managed to show he is physically fit, while a series of striking tweets demonstrated his angle of political attack: that he personally beat the virus and will now lead the country to its own comeback.

"Will be back on the campaign trail soon," Mr Trump said in one tweet.

"Don't be afraid of Covid," he said in another, claiming to be feeling rejuvenated after his illness.

The remark startled his rival, who was campaigning on Monday in Florida.

"Tell that to the 205,000 families who lost somebody," Mr Biden snapped.

In a briefing at Walter Reed, presidential physician Dr Sean Conley said Mr Trump was back but would not be "entirely out of the woods" for another week.

Despite Mr Trump's characteristic claim that Covid-19 should not be of major concern, polls show it is a huge worry for Americans.

His handling of the crisis this year is also considered to be the main reason that Mr Biden, 77, is surging in polls.