Update: After a COVID-19 test at the White House showed a positive result, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell took another COVID-19 test which now shows a negative result.
The city of New Orleans released the following statement:
This morning at the White House, prior to meeting with President Biden, Mayor Cantrell took a screening COVID test and received a positive result. She then visited a local testing clinic in the DC area, where she took a second test – a confirmatory PCR test. The PCR test results were negative. At no time did the Mayor display any symptoms, and she remains asymptomatic and in good spirits. She will return home as scheduled this evening. The Mayor received her first dose of vaccine on Wednesday of this week. The vaccine does NOT cause a positive test, as it does not contain any actual virus. It takes time to build full immunity, and individuals are only considered to be fully immunized and 95% protected at 2 weeks after the second dose. That is the reason that everyone needs to continue to wear masks, socially distance, and avoid large gatherings. The Mayor was disappointed to be unable to meet with President Biden this morning, but she remains confident that the new administration will be a strong partner for New Orleans. She looks forward to receiving her second dose of vaccine in a few weeks.
Original: New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell did not get to meet with President Joe Biden today as planned, due to the White House's health screening procedures.
New Orleans City Hall says they are working to determine the mayor's COVID status and will have additional details to share this afternoon.
“Mayor Cantrell was unable to attend this morning’s meeting with President Biden and Vice President Harris, due to White House health screening and safety protocols,” reads a statement from the mayor's press office. “We are currently working to determine her COVID status, and will update the media with additional details later this afternoon.”
Cantrell was to join a small group of mayors and governors to meet with the president to discuss the importance of state and local funds in the next stimulus and relief package.
