Director of White House security has leg amputated following severe Covid-19 complications

The director of the White House security office has spent more than three months in hospital following a Covid-19 diagnosis, which caused him to lose a toe on his left foot and his whole right foot and lower leg, according to a family friend helping to raise $50,000 for his mounting healthcare costs.

As first reported by Bloomberg, Crede Bailey was among officials connected to cluster outbreaks at the White House that began in September; roughly 50 staffers and officials – including Donald Trump, who was hospitalised for three days – have tested positive for the disease caused by the coronavirus.

“Crede beat Covid-19 but it came at a significant cost: his big toe on his left foot as well as his right foot and lower leg had to be amputated,” according to a 7 December update from Dawn McCrobie, who organised a GoFundMe campaign to assist with healthcare costs.

The campaign has raised more than $37,000, as of Monday. He is “doing well – he is working hard on himself and is anxious to return home as soon as he is physically able,” according to an update posted on 14 December.

Mr Bailey’s family has not publicised his health, and neither the president nor members of his administration have publicly confirmed his illness.

Following Bloomberg’s report on 14 December, an update on the GoFundMe campaign advised family members and contributors to the fundraiser to avoid speaking with journalists: "It’s obvious that Crede has lots of support and while there are others out there who may seek or desire the media’s attention, that’s not the case here! Per Crede’s wishes, please let the media tell their story without your input. 

“His family has staggering medical bills from a hospital stay of 2+ months and still counting in the ICU and a long road ahead in rehab before he can go home,” according to an update from 13 November. “When he does make it home there will be major changes necessary to deal with his new, and permanent, disability."

The costs associated with his recovery and rehabilitations are “astronomical" despite health insurance assistance, according to an update from December.

Mr Bailey’s home will "need to be renovated to accommodate his disability; ramps to get in/out of the house, the bathroom shower will have to be modified, handrails will have to be installed, etc. etc.,” according to Ms McCrobie’s update. He also will need a car that can accommodate a wheelchair, she said.