White House press secretary Jen Psaki has Covid, will miss Biden trip to Europe

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki holds the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. October 27, 2021.

Jonathan Ernst | Reuters

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, and will not travel with President Joe Biden on his upcoming trip to Europe, she said.

Biden, who had two “socially distanced meetings” with Psaki on Monday, tested negative for Covid after taking a PCR test on Tuesday, the press secretary said.

Psaki, who had also tested positive for the coronavirus in late October, said she currently has only mild symptoms and will be working from home in compliance with White House Covid-19 protocols.

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Biden is departing for Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday evening to join NATO leaders at a summit to discuss the organization’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. He also is scheduled to visit Poland later in the week.

Poland has become a major destination for Ukraine refugees fleeing the invasion of their country by Russia.

Deputy Press Secretary Chris Meagher told reporters at the White House’s daily briefing on Tuesday, “No members of the press who attended the briefing yesterday are considered to be close contacts” of Psaki.

“We are currently conducting contact tracing, and any member of the press who’s considered to be a close contact will be contacted,” Meagher said.

“But, if a close contact is determined, it would not be through yesterday’s briefing.”

Psaki’s full statement on her diagnosis is here:

Today, in preparation for travel to Europe, I took a PCR test this morning. That test came back positive, which means I will be adhering to CDC guidance and no longer be traveling on the President’s trip to Europe.I had two socially-distanced meetings with the President yesterday, and the President is not considered a close contact as defined by CDC guidance. I am sharing the news of my positive test today out of an abundance of transparency.The President tested negative today via PCR test.Thanks to the vaccine, I have only experienced mild symptoms. In alignment with White House COVID-19 protocols, I will work from home and plan to return to work in person at the conclusion of a five-day isolation period and a negative test

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