White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday that she had contracted a breakthrough case of Covid after members of her household tested positive.
“While I have not had close contact in person with the President or senior members of the White House staff since Wednesday — and tested negative for four days after that last contact — I am disclosing today’s positive test out of an abundance of transparency,” she said in a statement. “I last saw the President on Tuesday, when we sat outside more than six-feet apart, and wore masks.”
Psaki was initially expected to travel with President Biden to Europe on Thursday for a week-long trip, but opted out after a member of her household tested positive for the virus. Principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre went instead.
According to the Hill, the White House has declined to disclose breakthrough COVID-19 cases unless the individual chooses to go public or has had direct contact with the president.
Psaki is fully vaccinated and plans to return to work after a 10-day quarantine and a negative rapid test.
