NEW YORK  Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary, has tested positive for Covid-19. Psaki said in a statement that she did a PCR test in the morning as part of her preparation for President Joe Biden's trip to Europe. "That test came back positive, so I'm following the CDC's advice and won't be joining the President on his trip to Europe," she stated.

According to the statement, Biden tested negative by PCR test on Tuesday.

Psaki also said that she had "two socially-distant encounters" with Biden on Monday, and that she's disclosing the results of her positive test "in the interest of openness."  Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet (1.8 metres) of an infected person for more than 15 minutes, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"I've only had moderate symptoms thanks to the immunisation," Psaki continued. "I will work from home in accordance with White House Covid protocols and plan to return to work in person after a five-day isolation period and a negative test." Prior to Biden's trip to Europe for a climate summit in October, the White House chief spokeswoman tested positive for Covid.

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