Aide who traveled with Biden to Europe tests positive for COVID-19: reports

An aide who traveled with President Biden to Europe last week has tested positive for a breakthrough COVID-19 infection, according to multiple reports. 

The aide tested positive in Scotland via a lateral flow rapid test required for everyone attending the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference (COP26) in Glasglow, Scotland, The Associated Press reported.

The aide is asymptomatic and fully vaccinated, the AP reported. They will remain in Scotland to quarantine while they undergo further testing.

Out of an abundance of caution, several staff members who were in close contact with the aide returned to the U.S. on a separate government airplane, not aboard Air Force One.

News of the positive test was first reported by Bloomberg News, which reported that the aide is on staff with the National Security Council. A White House official told the outlet that the person is not believed to have come in contact with Biden. 

The president tested negative on Tuesday, the official told Bloomberg.

The Hill has reached out to The White House for comment.

Biden left for Europe last Thursday, where he met with the pope and Group of 20 (G-20) leaders in Rome before heading to COP26.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Sunday that she tested positive for COVID-19. She opted not to travel with Biden to Europe after a member of her household contracted the virus.

The positive test comes a day after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s (D) office revealed that he tested positive ahead of his expected return home from the climate summit.   

Garcetti’s office told The Hill that the mayor was given multiple rapid antigen tests, all of which were negative. He then took a PCR test on Tuesday, which came back positive. 

The White House said Tuesday that Garcetti had no interaction with the president.