Administration

White House security official reported to be gravely ill with COVID-19

A White House security official is reportedly “gravely ill” after contracting COVID-19 in September, Bloomberg reports.

The publication identified the official as Crede Bailey, who heads the White House’s security office. He has reportedly been receiving hospital care since September.

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

According to Bloomberg, which cited four sources familiar with official’s condition, Bailey grew sick before the Rose Garden event held on Sept. 26, in which President Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

Since that event, more than 10 attendees — including the president, first lady Melania Trump and adviser Kellyanne Conway — have tested positive for the disease. However, the White House is not contact tracing attendees of the event, according to a report from The New York Times, which cited an unnamed White House official for its coverage earlier this week.

The Trump administration has been coming under increased scrutiny in recent days for its protocols to counter the spread of the coronavirus as the number cases of White House staff contracting the illness continue to climb.

White House senior adviser Stephen Miller became one of the president’s latest aides to test positive for COVID-19 this week. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany has also contracted the illness, in addition to several others in the White House press department. 

White House adviser Hope Hicks was also confirmed to have positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, shortly before it was discovered the president and the first lady had also been diagnosed with the disease.