Second White House Staffer Tests Positive for Covid-19 This Week

By Staff, Agencies

US Vice-president Mike Pence’s press secretary tested positive for the coronavirus, the White House said Friday, making her the second person who works at the White House complex known to test positive for the virus this week.

Katie Miller is also the wife of Stephen Miller, a top Trump advisor. She has been in recent contact with Pence but not with Trump.

Meanwhile, the White House didn’t comment immediately on whether Stephen Miller had been tested or if he was still working out of the White House.

Katie Miller had tested negative on Thursday. A senior White House official said staff in the West Wing are tested regularly but much of Pence’s staff, which works next door in the Executive Office building, are tested less frequently.

Relatively, Trump said he was “not worried” about the virus spreading in the White House.

Regardless, White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said the administration was stepping up mitigation efforts already recommended by public health experts and taking other unspecified precautions to ensure Trump’s safety.

For now, Trump and Pence will be tested daily, as well as some staffers who closely interact with the president.

One of Trump’s personal valets tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week. The case marked the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to the president has tested positive since several people present at his private Florida club were diagnosed with Covid-19 in early March.