Vice President Mike Pence’s Press Secretary Katie Miller said on Friday that one of Pence’s staff members has tested positive for the coronavirus, which originated in China.
“This evening we were notified that a member of the Office of the Vice President tested positive for the Coronavirus,” Miller said. “Neither President Trump nor Vice President Pence had close contact with the individual.”
“Further contact tracing is being conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines,” Miller continued.
The announcement marks the first White House official who has tested positive for the illness as numerous members of Congress and other officials in top government agencies have also tested positive.
President Donald Trump tested negative for the virus earlier this month after he came in brief contact with two people who had later tested positive for the illness.
“Last night, after an in-depth discussion with the President regarding COVID-19 testing, he elected to proceed,” Sean Conley, the physician to the president, wrote in a memo. “This evening I received confirmation that the test is negative.”
“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free,” Conley continued. “I have been in daily contact with the CDC and White House Coronavirus Task Force, and we are encouraging the implementation of all their best practices for exposure reduction and transmission mitigation.”
On Wednesday, Rep. Ben McAdams (D-UT) announced on Twitter that he had contracted the virus and that he had self-quarantined since he first started developing symptoms.
“On Saturday evening, after returning from Washington, D.C., I developed mild cold-like symptoms. In consultation with my doctor on Sunday, I immediately isolated myself in my home,” McAdams said in a statement. “I have been conducting all meetings by telephone. My symptoms got worse and I developed a fever, dry cough and labored breathing and I remained self-quarantined.”
“On Tuesday, my doctor instructed my to get tested for COVID-19 and following his referral, I went to the local testing clinic for the test,” McAdams continued. “Today I learned that I tested positive. I am still working for Utahns and pursuing efforts to get Utahns the resources they need as I continue doing my job from home until I know it is safe to end my self-quarantine. I’m doing my part as all Americans are doing to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate the coronavirus outbreak.”
McAdams concluded, “I urge Utahns to take this seriously and follow the health recommendations we’re getting from the CDC and other health experts so that we can recover from this public health threat.”
Earlier in the day, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) announced his diagnosis on Twitter, writing: “I want everyone to know that I am feeling much better. However, it is important that everyone take this extremely seriously and follow CDC guidelines in order to avoid getting sick and mitigate the spread of this virus. We must continue to work together to emerge stronger as a country during these trying times.”
A statement from his office said, “In an abundance of caution, after votes on Friday, March 13th, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart decided to self-quarantine in Washington, D.C, and not return to South Florida because of his wife Tia’s pre-existing conditions that put her at exceptionally high risk. On Saturday evening, Congressman Diaz-Balart developed symptoms, including a fever and a headache. Just a short while ago, he was notified that he has tested positive for COVID-19. While in quarantine Diaz-Balart has been working from his apartment in Washington, DC.”
This report has been updated to include additional information.