President Joe Biden has tested negative for COVID-19 after he came into close contact with a White House staffer later diagnosed with the virus.
"This morning, President Biden received a PCR test, and the test result was negative," a White House official told reporters Wednesday after the president earlier alluded to it.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki explained this week that Biden had taken a PCR COVID-19 test on Monday, three days after he was exposed. At the time, she said he would receive another test on Wednesday, five days after his interaction with the COVID-19-positive aide.
Biden tells reporters he’s been tested for COVID today but doesn’t have the results yet. pic.twitter.com/iJmZFwY39G
— Joey Garrison (@joeygarrison) December 22, 2021
"The guidance of the CDC is: If you're a close contact, you should be tested five to seven days — five days and seven days post-contact. We do three and five days post-contact here at the White House through PCR tests," Psaki told reporters.
"Every time you're going to travel with the president or even meet in the Oval Office with the president, you’re required to be tested that day," she added. "There are also regular testing protocols for others who may not be interacting with the president, and we also wear masks around the building as well."
Biden has not complained of any symptoms, according to Psaki, describing him as "feeling great."
Psaki released a statement on Monday disclosing that Biden had spent roughly 30 minutes on Air Force One with a "mid-level staff member" the Friday before who was later confirmed to have COVID-19.
"This staff member is fully vaccinated and boosted, and tested negative prior to boarding Air Force One, as is required for everyone traveling with the president," Psaki wrote. "This staff member did not begin to experience symptoms until Sunday, and was tested on Monday."
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Biden is vaccinated against COVID-19, rolling up his sleeve for a booster shot in September.