According to Fox News
A spokesperson for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tested positive Monday for coronavirus following a meeting last week with members of the Texas Legislature who fled the state for Washington, D.C.
Drew Hammill, a top aide to Pelosi, said the staffer was fully vaccinated and did not have recent contact with the top California Democrat, though the speaker’s office is taking extra precautions as a result.
“Yesterday, a fully vaccinated senior spokesperson in the speaker’s press office tested positive for COVID after contact with members of the Texas state legislature last week,” Hammill said in a statement obtained by Fox News.
“This individual has had no contact with the speaker since exposure. The entire press office is working remotely today with the exception of individuals who have had no exposure to the individual or have had a recent negative test. Our office will continue to follow the guidance of the Office of Attending Physician closely.”
On Tuesday, Pelosi and her staff were spotted wearing masks again at the Capitol. Following a loosening of mask restrictions by the Capitol physician, many members have opted against masks in recent weeks.
Speaker Pelosi did not respond to questions on if she would accept the GOP Leader’s picks to serve on the Jan 6th select committee pic.twitter.com/JvWmzN9LyZ
— Kelly Phares (@kellyfphares) July 20, 2021
Separately, Axios first reported that a White House official also tested positive for coronavirus after attending the same rooftop reception with the Pelosi staffer last Wednesday night. The White House aide was also fully vaccinated and experienced mild symptoms.
A White House official confirmed to Fox News the staffer tested COVID-19 positive on Monday outside White House grounds and has remained off site, awaiting a confirmatory PCR test. The White House medical unit conducted contact tracing and determined the staffer had “no close contacts among White House principals and staff.”
“We know that there will be breakthrough cases, but as this instance shows, cases in vaccinated individuals are typically mild,” a White House official told Fox News. “The White House is prepared for breakthrough cases with regular testing. This is another reminder of the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines against severe illness or hospitalization. We wish our colleague a speedy recovery.”