Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany is the latest White House official to test positive for COVID-19. McEnany announced via Twitter her COVID-19 diagnosis today (Oct. 5).
She revealed she tested everyday since Thursday (Oct. 1) when Trump adviser Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID-19.
“After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms,” McEnany said in the statement. “No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit.”
McEnany plans to quarantine and continue working remotely.
“With my recent positive test, I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American People remotely,” she said.
Kayleigh McEnany held a press briefing on Oct. 1
On Oct. 1, McEnany gave a press briefing at the White House to reporters. That same day, the White House revealed Hicks contracted the virus. Hicks experienced symptoms while at a campaign rally with President Donald Trump in Minnesota. She quarantined on the plane trip back to Washington, D.C. where doctors confirmed her diagnosis.
McEnany confirmed via the statement she was unaware of Hicks’ testing prior to holding the briefing.
“I definitively had no knowledge of Hope Hicks’ diagnosis prior to holding a White House press briefing,” McEnany wrote. “As an essential worker, I have worked diligently to provide needed information to the American People at this time.”
Later that evening, Trump confirmed he and Melania had tested positive for COVID-19. Shortly after, advisers took Trump to Walter Reed hospital where he has been this past weekend fighting the virus.
Some reports have suggested Trump’s Rose Garden event acted as a “super-spreader” for COVID-19. Trump held the event to announce Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court Justice nominee. While Hicks wasn’t present at the event, several people who attended have contracted the virus including the Trumps.
