White House Press Secretary Psaki Says She Has Covid

Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, stated Sunday that she had contracted COVID-19 and is currently experiencing mild symptoms.

Psaki, 42 years old, stated that she last spoke with President Joe Biden Tuesday when she met him at the White House. They were 6 feet apart and wore masks. According to the White House, Biden, who is frequently tested, tested negative last Saturday.

Psaki was not accompanied by Biden to Rome for the Group of 20 summits this weekend and Glasgow, Scotland on Monday for a U.N. Climate summit.

Psaki had originally planned to travel with President Obama, but he canceled the trip as soon as he was about to leave for Europe. He learned that several members of her family had been 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, who has been fully vaccinated said that she only shows 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 members and other travelers with the president have been subject to daily COVID-19 testing. They are all fully vaccinated. Due to their close-quarters work environment and frequent travel, many officials have received booster shots.

Biden received his COVID-19 booster shortly after the third dose was approved by federal regulators.

Principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean Pierre accompanied Biden on the trip. Psaki stated that she would be returning to work after a 10-day quarantine period and after negative rapid testing.