Biden negative for COVID after staffer tests positive

By Mohammad Zargham | Reuters

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden tested antagonistic for COVID-19 aft helium was notified that a mid-level White House unit subordinate who spent astir 30 minutes adjacent him connected Air Force One connected Friday tested affirmative connected Monday morning, the White House said.

A PCR trial Biden received connected Monday aft being notified of the lawsuit came backmost negative, arsenic did an antigen trial helium received connected Sunday arsenic portion of his regular testing, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said successful a statement.

Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines bash not necessitate afloat vaccinated radical to quarantine aft an exposure, Psaki said, Biden, 79, “will proceed with his regular schedule.”

The unit subordinate “had spent astir 30 minutes successful proximity to the President connected Air Force One, connected the mode from Orange, South Carolina to Philadelphia” connected Friday, Psaki said.

The unit subordinate is afloat vaccinated and boosted, had tested antagonistic earlier boarding Air Force One and did not statesman to acquisition symptoms until Sunday, she said.

Psaki did not place the unit member, who she said does not regularly person interaction with Biden.

Others connected Air Force One who were successful adjacent interaction with the unit subordinate are being contacted and volition beryllium advised to get tested, she said.