Organizers of the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, said an attendee of its annual Washington-area conference last month has tested positive for coronavirus.
“A New Jersey hospital tested the person, and CDC confirmed the positive result,” said a statement by the American Conservative Union, the host of the event. That individual is now in quarantine.
“The health and safety of our attendees and participants is our top priority,” the statement added. “Any attendee who has questions can contact ACU or the Department of Health for the State of Maryland.”
The conference was attended by numerous high-profile conservative political figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. The organizer said the affected person had “no interaction” with Trump or Pence and did not attend events in the conference’s main hall.
The conference took place Feb. 26 to 29 in Fort Washington, Maryland, just outside the District of Columbia.
Other prominent speakers at the conference this year included Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and senior adviser to the president Jared Kushner.
“The Trump administration is aware of the situation, and we will continue regular communication with all appropriate government officials,” the American Conservative Union’s statement said.
Asked about the development later on Saturday, Trump told reporters in Florida he was not concerned and planned to continue to hold political rallies.
People who attended the conference should stay home if sick and call ahead to their doctor if experiencing symptoms of the new virus, the D.C. Health Department said. Symptoms of the virus are similar to those for the flu and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
