White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany tested positive for COVID-19.
McEnany announced her diagnosis on Monday morning and said she’s “experiencing no symptoms.” McEnany noted in a statement that “no reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit.” She said she’ll begin the quarantine process and will “continue working on behalf of the American People remotely.”
Multiple news outlets reported on Monday that two others in the White House communications office have tested positive for the coronavirus.
They are the latest people in the president’s orbit to test positive for the coronavirus over the past week. White House adviser Hope Hicks tested positive Thursday, which started an avalanche of positive tests in the White House including President Trump, who has since been transported to Walter Reed Medical Center, first lady Melania Trump, and the president’s personal assistant Nick Luna.
In recent days, others at the White House have not been spared as the virus ravages the residence. Former White House adviser Kellyanne Conway contracted the coronavirus as well, and she was in attendance for Trump’s nominating ceremony for Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Others who were in attendance, including Sens. Mike Lee and Thom Tillis, have also contracted the virus.
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped prep Trump for the Sept. 29 presidential debate, checked himself into the hospital as a precautionary measure after he received his positive test.
McEnany also reiterated her previous statement that she was unaware that White House adviser Hope Hicks tested positive prior to Thursday’s press briefing.
McEnany had been in contact with a number of people who have tested positive, but she continued to show up to work at the White House until she received the positive test on Monday. The press secretary was supposed to travel with Trump to a fundraiser Thursday in Bedminster, New Jersey, but given her exposure to Hicks, she stayed back; she did not, however, quarantine afterward, against CDC guidelines, according to multiple outlets.
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) October 5, 2020
