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White House press secretary Jen Psaki has tested positive for COVID-19.
NBC News reports Psaki contracted "a breakthrough case of COVID" after several individuals within her household tested positive for the virus, which she previously tested negative for multiple times, according to a statement released on Sunday (October 31).
Psaki was initially scheduled to travel with President Joe Biden to Italy and Scotland last Thursday (October 28), but was replaced by principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
Psaki said she consulted senior leadership at the White House and the medical team last week before deciding to forego the foreign trip and has since been quarantining with her family, having tested negative four consecutive days before testing positive on Sunday.
"While I have not had close contact in person with the President or senior members of the White House staff since Wednesday – and tested negative for four days after that last contact -- I am disclosing today’s positive test out of an abundance of transparency," Psaki said in a statement obtained by NBC News.
Psaki added that she "last saw the President on Tuesday, when we sat outside more than six-feet apart, and wore masks."
Psaki, who is fully vaccinated, said she's only experienced mild symptoms since contracting the virus and plans to return to work after a 10-day quarantine at home and a negative rapid test, which is an additional precaution required for all White House staff.