(AP) Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s closest aides, has tested positive for the coronavirus after spending time in close proximity to the president this week, and Trump tweeted he would self-quarantine.
Hicks, who serves as counselor to Trump and traveled with him to a rally Wednesday, tested positive Thursday, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private health information. She is the closest aide to Trump to test positive so far.
Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity Thursday night that he and first lady Melania Trump have been tested, and will get results “tonight or tomorrow morning.”
Later he tweeted:
“Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible! The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!”
Trump expressed concern for Hicks — as well as himself and First Lady Melania Trump — after the aide’s positive COVID-19 test to Hannity earlier.
“She did test positive,” he said, adding, “she wears masks a lot.”
“We spend a lot of time [with her], the first lady just went and got a test also. Whether we quarantine, whether we have, we don’t know,” Trump said.
“It’s hard when you’re with soldiers, when you are with airmen, when you’re with the Marines, and the police officers, I’m with them so much. When they come over to you, it’s hard to say, ‘stay back,'” Trump added.
“I was surprised to hear with Hope,” he said. “But she is a warm person with [crowds]. She knows there is a risk, but she is young. I just went out for a test, it will come back later I guess. At the first lady also, we spend a lot of time with Hope and others. We will see what happens.”
Trump traveled to New Jersey Thursday for a fundraiser, though his social media director Dan Scavino and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who were originally set to join him, were replaced at the last minute by other aides.
The positive test is yet another reminder that the virus continues to spread. The virus has killed more than 200,000 Americans and infected more than 7 million nationwide.
In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said, “The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”
“White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling,” Deere said.
Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, to a rally in Minnesota Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate in Cleveland.
Hicks, one of the president’s most trusted aides, previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election. Her positive test was first reported by Bloomberg News. She did not respond to a request for comment.
Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, national security adviser Robert O’Brien, and one of the president’s personal valets.
After earlier positive cases close to the president, the White House instituted a daily testing regimen for the president’s senior aides. Others who will be in close proximity to the president and vice president, including reporters, are also tested every day.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people who have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 quarantine for 14 days, White House staffers are considered essential workers. CDC’s guidelines for exposed essential workers allows them to return to work if they take precautions, including taking their temperature before going into work, wearing a mask at all times and practicing social distancing.
