White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced on Sunday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, which makes her the highest ranking official inside the White House during the Biden administration to publicly reveal a positive diagnosis.
In a statement, Psaki said:
On Wednesday, in coordination with senior leadership at the White House and the medical team, I made the decision not to travel on the foreign trip with the President due to a family emergency, which was members of my household testing positive for COVID-19. Since then, I have quarantined and tested negative (via PCR) for COVID on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, today, I tested positive for COVID. 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. I last saw the President on Tuesday, when we sat outside more than six-feet apart, and wore masks.
Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms, which has enabled me to continue working from home. I will plan to return to work in person at the conclusion of the ten day quarantine following a negative rapid test, which is an additional White House requirement, beyond CDC guidance, taken out of an abundance of caution.
The announcement from Psaki comes days after Democrat President Joe Biden coughed into his hand after giving a speech and then proceeded to shake people’s hands with that same hand.
“Footage from the event showed the president coughing on his hand as he departed his podium. He proceeded to extend it with a look of amazement on his face before walking off the stage to greet officials in attendance,” Mediaite reported. “He quickly shook hands with at least three men — all of whom were wearing face masks — before shaking hands and clasping the shoulder of a fourth.”
WATCH: Joe Biden coughs into his hand, then proceeds to shake hands with people. pic.twitter.com/sitSWQHvyt
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 25, 2021
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for COVID-19 two weeks ago, which came just a few days after he attended an event with Biden.
“Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for COVID-19 after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols,” DHS spokeswoman Marsha Espinosa tweeted. “He is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice.”
“The diagnosis comes after Mayorkas attended the 40th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol alongside President Biden on Saturday,” Fox News reported. “Additionally, images from the event show Mayorkas stood close to Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at one point during the outdoor event, without masks.”
Mayorkas has been the source of much controversy and scandal in the Biden administration as the U.S. southern border has fallen apart under his watch with thousands of illegal aliens pouring into the U.S. every month.