An official in Vice President Mike Pence’s office has tested positive for COVID-19—the first known such case in a White House staffer.
“This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus. Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual,” said Pence’s press secretary Katie Miller in a statement late Friday.
“Further contact tracing is being conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines,” said Miller, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The statement did not identify the official.
Pence is leading the White House task force that was formed to combat the outbreak of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.
Chinese authorities did not confirm human-to-human transmission until Jan. 20—almost three weeks after the disease was first officially reported on Dec. 31, 2019. The first patient reported with the virus exhibited symptoms on Dec. 1.