Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany Tests Positive for COVID-19
Kayleigh McEnany, White House press secretary, has tested positive for COVID-19, making her latest of President Trump's staffers to test positive of the virus.
In a statement Monday morning, McEnany emphasized that she tested negative of COVID-19 before. She also said that, unlike Trump, she was not showing symptoms of the virus.
With McEnany joining the group of staffers who tested positive of COVID-19, questions arise on how far wide the outbreak has become.
CNN said in a report that the press secretary continued to avoid mask usage even in the days since Trump tested positive of the virus.
McEnany Continues to Work
McEnany said she has worked diligently amid the pandemic and will continue to do so. She said that with her recent positive test, she will perform her duties remotely, reported The Hill.
She will "begin the quarantine process" as she wrote in her statement. As she self isolates, she will also do her job for the White House.
Reports said she was scheduled to appear on Fox News on Monday morning but it was canceled. On Monday evening, she spoke with the news outlet's commentator Sean Hannity.
While speaking to Hannity, she said she was "feeling great" and "very blessed" for having to dodge any symptoms.
Sources also told USA Today that her deputies, Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt, also tested positive for the virus.
Other members of the White House press staff will also be working remotely, an official said. Some essential workers remain amid the outbreak.
Attending Events without Masks
McEnany was among the line of officials who came to the Rose Garden ceremony late last month. It was an event introducing Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court.
The introduction to Barrett was a common event for those who tested positive in the administration and in Congress.
Very few people wore masks during the event Saturday, but the press secretary had one on her for at least a part of it.
Her last White House briefing was held on Thursday but she also appeared on Fox News on Sunday. She was not wearing a mask both times.
There are no reporters, producers or members of the press listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit, McEnany said. The list of close contacts can help with contact tracing.
McEnany took two questions during the outdoor briefing on Sunday.
White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) wished for McEnany's swift recovery in a statement. So far, three journalists working on the White House tested positive for the virus.
The group said they are not aware if there are more cases among White House journalists. They do know that some are still waiting for test results, as said in their statement.
They asked members to follow CDC guidance. They stressed the importance of following these rules especially when at the White House.
They also urged journalists to seek testing if they believe they were exposed.
News of Trump testing positive of the virus arose on Friday. He was given treatment for three days at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.
Trump has now returned to the White House and will get his treatment from there. The first lady, Melania Trump, also tested positive for the virus.
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