Fully vaccinated White House press secretary Jen Psaki tests positive for COVID-19

Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, confirmed on Sunday that she has COVID-19 and is experiencing mild symptoms.

Psaki, 42, said she last spoke with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, when she met him in the White House while wearing masks and standing more than 6 feet apart. According to the White House, Biden, who is frequently tested, last tested negative on Saturday.

Psaki did not accompany Biden on his trip to Rome for the Group of 20 summit this weekend, and then to Glasgow, Scotland, on Monday for a United Nations climate summit.

Psaki had planned to accompany the president on his trip to Europe, but she cancelled the trip just as he was about to leave for Europe after learning that members of her family were involved.

Psaki had planned to accompany the president on his trip to Europe, but she cancelled the trip just as he was about to leave for Europe after learning that members of her household had tested positive for COVID-19.

“Since then, I have quarantined and tested negative (via PCR) for COVID on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday,” Psaki said in a statement. “However, today, I tested positive for COVID.”

Psaki said she is only exhibiting mild symptoms.

“While I have not had close contact in person with the President or senior members of the White House staff since Wednesday – and tested negative for four days after that last contact — I am disclosing today’s positive test out of an abundance of transparency,” Psaki said.

Since before leaving Washington, White House staff and others traveling with the president have been subjected to daily COVID-19 tests to ensure that they are fully vaccinated. Due to the close quarters environment and frequent travel associated with their work, many officials have also received booster shots.

On September 27, Biden received his COVID-19 booster, just days after federal regulators approved the third dose for many Americans.

Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden’s principal deputy press secretary, has accompanied him on the trip. Psaki stated that she would return to work in person after a 10-day quarantine and a negative rapid test.

(Soure: The Associated Press)