The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Pence self-isolates as his aide tests positive
US vice-president voluntarily limiting exposure to others despite repeatedly testing negative for virus every day
US vice-president Mike Pence is selfisolating after an aide tested positive for coronavirus last week.
An administration official said Mr Pence was voluntarily limiting his exposure to other people.
He has repeatedly tested negative for Covid-19 since his exposure, but is following the advice of medical officials.
“Vice-president Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House medical unit and is not in quarantine,” said spokesman Devin O’Malley.
“Additionally, vice-president Pence has tested negative every single day and plans to be at the White House tomorrow.”
Mr Pence’s move comes after three members of the White House’s coronavirus taskforce placed themselves in quarantine after coming into contact with the aide, Mr Pence’s spokeswoman Katie Miller said.
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a leading member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, placed himself in quarantine over the weekend.
So did his fellow doctors, Robert Redfield, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Stephen Hahn, commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Mr Pence’s press secretary tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday, making her the second person who works at the White House complex who is known to have tested positive this week.
Mr Pence has led the White House coronavirus taskforce for more than two months. White House officials had confirmed on Thursday that a member of the military serving as one of president Donald Trump’s valets had tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Mr Trump, who publicly identified the affected Pence aide as spokeswoman Katie Miller, said he was “not worried” about the virus spreading in the White House. Nonetheless, officials said they were stepping up safety protocols for the complex.
Mr Pence was informed of the positive test on Friday morning.
Dr Fauci’s institute said he had tested negative for Covid-19 and would continue to be tested regularly.
It added that he was considered at “relatively low risk” based on the degree of his exposure, and that he would be “taking appropriate precautions” to mitigate the risk to personal contacts while still carrying out his duties.
“Vicepresident Pence will continue to follow the advice of the White House medical unit and is not in quarantine. ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL