WH Comms Director Says Biden Might Test Positive for COVID ‘At Some Point’ As Virus Rips Through DC
White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield is noting that President Joe Biden may test positive for COVID-19 as the virus has infected several prominent officials in recent days. During an appearance on CNN’s…
White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield is noting that President Joe Biden may test positive for COVID-19 as the virus has infected several prominent officials in recent days.
During an appearance on CNN’s “New Day” Friday morning, co-host John Berman noted, “You said there’s going to be a big celebration today. It made me think about the last time there was a big celebration at the White House for a Supreme Court announcement for Amy Coney Barrett.”
“It turned out to be a Covid superspreader event, potentially. What precautions are being taken today? I mean, first of all, when was the last time the president was tested? The vice president? Because we know Speaker Pelosi, who we’re looking at right here a few days ago, is now positive,” he added.
Bedingfield responded, “The president was tested Wednesday night, tested negative. And as we said yesterday, he was also not a CDC-defined close contact with Speaker Pelosi.”
“But look, certainly we have seen an increase in cases. We know that, with the BA.2 variant is very transmissible. We are taking many, many precautions. We take precautions to ensure that the president is protected,” she continued.
She added, “I do think it’s important to note that, you know, it is possible he will test positive for Covid at some point and we’re in a very different place than we were, for example, when they held that event for Justice Barrett.”
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Bedingfield pointed to the COVID-19 vaccines and treatments that are available to protect against serious illness or death from the virus.
She also noted that the president is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots.
“It is certainly possible that he will test positive for COVID, and he is vaccinated. He’s boosted and protected from the most severe strains of the virus,” she reiterated.
The exchange comes ahead of an event to celebrate the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.
But it also comes as several prominent Democrats and members of Biden’s Cabinet have tested positive for the virus.
As Politico notes, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) have tested positive.
And on Thursday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) office revealed that she tested positive for the coronavirus, as IJR reported.
After her positive test was announced, pictures resurfaced showing Pelosi in close proximity to Biden at events on Tuesday and Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki noted on Thursday that Biden does not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for a “close contact” of Pelosi.