According to officials with knowledge of the matter, a White House assistant who traveled with Joe Biden to international summits in Europe last week tested positive for coronavirus infection before the president returned home. Leaders from many countries attended the summit as well.
Because of transmission concerns, the assistant and some of Biden’s other traveling aides stayed in Scotland after the president visited the United Nations climate summit in Glasgow, according to the sources. It’s unknown how many people were involved.
According to a White House official, the assistant, who tested positive via a quick test, is in quarantine in Scotland and awaiting a follow-up PCR test. The aide isn’t thought to have had any direct contact with the president.
According to the sources, the aide is a member of the National Security Council’s staff. Staff members who were in touch with the assistant have tested negative so far, according to the official. According to the official, Biden himself also tested negative on Tuesday.
They were expected to go back to Washington on Air Force One or a support jet with Biden on Sunday, but they have already returned on other government planes.
