After a video of Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell appearing to freeze at a news conference on Wednesday went viral, an increasing number of people are now speculating if the Kentucky senator is facing serious underlying health issues.

Republicans were holding their last weekly press briefing before the August recess when the incident took place. McConnell was seen freezing at the podium for several seconds.

After a 30-second halt, his worried coworkers gathered around him to inquire about his health. “Hey Mitch, is there anything else you’d like to say?” said Wyoming Republican Senator John Barrasso. “Should we return to your office instead? Do you have any more information for the press?”

Also Read | Mitch McConnell freezes during press conference, escorted away from podium | Watch video

A few senators including Joni Ernst of Iowa approached him, helping him to step away from the podium. A few minutes later, he came back and refused to elaborate on what had just occurred, insisting, “I’m fine.”

McConnell refuses to discuss his health problems

Apparently this is not the first time that McConnell has faced a potential health issue. According to an NBC report, he tripped and fell on July 14 while comin g out of a plane in Washington DC after the flight was canceled. One of the passengers who was onboard the flight but did not witness the fall told NBC News that McConnell suffered a “face plant” due to his fall. The passenger reportedly also had reportedly spoken to another passenger who helped the elderly lawmaker get back up on his feet.

Also Read | Donald Trump calls Joe Biden ‘stone cold criminal’, Mitch McConnell ‘ absolute worst; at Waco, Texas rally

The publication also revealed that McConnell uses a wheelchair as a precaution in “crowded” airports.

A senator spoke to NBC News on the condition of anonymity, saying that that McConnell moves slower than before but has refused to address his health issues with his GOP colleagues. “He’s definitely slower with his gait. He doesn’t address it,” the unidentified senator said.

It was reported back in March that McConnell had a massive fall in his home and that he sustained a concussion and a cracked rib which caused him to miss six weeks of Senate duty.