Trump's press secretary tests positive for virus

WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced Monday that she has tested positive for the coronavirus, another sign that the virus that has put President Donald Trump in the hospital and killed more than 200,000 Americans is spreading through the White House.

In a statement on Twitter, McEnany said she is not experiencing symptoms. In addition to the president and the first lady, members of Trump's staff and senior figures in his campaign have tested positive for the coronavirus since last week.

McEnany said she did not know t hat senior Trump aide Hope Hicks tested positive for COVID-19 before she held a press briefing last Thursday without a mask, a decision that has come under scrutiny f or potentially exposing reporters and others present.

The president was being treated at Walter Reed Medical Center for the fourth day Monday but his doctors did not release any additional information about his condition.

His Twitter account was active throughout the morning, however, with unrelated political messages, mostly in all capitol letters, urging supporters to vote. It is unclear whether Trump or his social media aide Dan Scavino wrote them.

Trump has been eager to send the message that he is fully engaged, releasing pictures and videos of himself sitting at a table at Walter Reed, sometimes with papers in front of him.

His most audacious gambit, a joy ride in the presidential motorcade Sunday evening, has drawn sharp criticism for endangering Secret Service agents and others involved in keeping him safe.