Hope Hicks, one of Donald Trump’s closest advisors, has tested positive for COVID-19.
Hicks, who previously served as White House communications director, tested positive this week after traveling with the president to Tuesday's debate on Air Force One, according to ABC News.
"The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously," a White House spokesperson told the outlet on Thursday night. "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."
On Thursday evening, Trump said he and first lady Melania Trump will "begin our quarantine process" while they await their latest COVID test results.
"Hope Hicks, who has been working so hard without even taking a small break, has just tested positive for Covid 19. Terrible!," Trump tweeted. "The First Lady and I are waiting for our test results. In the meantime, we will begin our quarantine process!"
Hicks traveled with Trump on other occasions this week. According to the Associated Press, she was on board Marine One, the presidential helicopter, in transport to Trump's rally in Minnesota on Wednesday.
Hicks, who rejoined the administration to help on the election campaign, is the closest member of Trump's inner circle to test positive for the novel virus.
Other White House staffers to contract COVID include Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary, Katie Miller, and his national security adviser, Robert O’Brien.
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