Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary and one of the government officials closest to the president, Joe Biden, said this Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Psaki, 42, did not travel with the president to the G-20 summit in Rome.
In a statement, he said he decided not to do so after learning that several members of his family were infected with the virus.
He also explained that
he has not had "close in-person contact with the president or high-ranking members of the White House staff since Wednesday
.
"
Since that day, he said, he has undergone daily PCR tests that had negative results, until the positive one this Sunday.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki during a press conference in Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021.AP
"The last time I saw the president was Tuesday, when we sat outside more than six feet apart and wore masks," the White House spokeswoman said in the statement.
"Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms that have allowed me to continue working from home."
Psaki said he will return to work in person after a 10-day quarantine and after tests are negative.
Who will be able to receive the fourth booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the CDC?
Oct. 27, 202101: 52
All White House staff, as well as officials who accompanied Biden on his trip to Europe this week,
are screened for COVID-19 daily
or are vaccinated.
Biden received the booster dose on September 19 on September 27.
Vice President Kamala Harris received it this Saturday.
