Pence’s chief of staff, campaign adviser test positive for coronavirus
White House infections risk overshadowing the closing week of Trump’s campaign
US vice- president Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, has tested positive for coronavirus alongwith at least one other key adviser, raising the prospect of another outbreak within the White House less than twoweeks before the election.
Pence has tested negative and will continue to campaign for president Donald Trump’s reelection, according to a statement from the vice president’s office announcing Short’s diagnosis. It said Pence was considered “essential personnel” under Centres for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Short is Pence’s top aide, a constant presence at his side who frequently acts as a spokesman for the vice president. In the statement, Pence’s office acknowledged that he’s considered a close contact of Short under infection tracing procedures.
Pence travelled to Florida to deliver a campaign speech in Tallahassee on Saturday evening after learning of Short’s diagnosis, according to people familiar with thematter. Short, who tested positive earlier in the day, did not accompany him.
Pence was scheduled to campaign in Kinston, North Carolina.
Bloomberg News earlier reported that one of Pence’s closest political advisers, Marty Obst, had tested positive on Wednesday, adding further to the cases in and around the White House.
Marc Short is a constant presence at Pence’s side who frequently acts as a spokesman for the vice- president.
Cause of concern
The infections of Short and Obst — as well as Pence’s exposure — risk overshadowing the closing week of Trump’s reelection campaign. Trump has repeatedly said in recent days that the country is turning a corner on the pandemic, even with a spike in infections.