Staffer who had contact with Harris tests positive for COVID-19

Vice President Harris tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday after coming in close contact with a staffer who subsequently tested positive for the virus.

The aide, who was not named, staffed Harris throughout the day on Tuesday and received a positive COVID-19 test result on Wednesday morning, senior adviser and chief spokesperson Symone Sanders said in a statement. 

Harris, who is tested on a regular basis, received an antigen test on Wednesday morning and tested negative. She then, after being notified of the staffer’s positive test, received a PCR test and again tested negative.

Sanders said that Harris will be tested on Friday and again on Monday. She will continue with her schedule, which involves traveling later on Wednesday to Los Angeles, Calif., where she and second gentleman Doug Emhoff will remain through the start of the new year. 

Harris is fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine and received her booster in November.

Sanders said that on Monday, Tuesday, and every day last week, the staffer, who has since been diagnosed with COVID-19, tested negative. The staffer is fully vaccinated, received his or her booster, and did not experience symptoms, she added. 

President Biden earlier this week came in close contact with an aide who tested positive for COVID-19. The president tested negative on Wednesday, which was his second negative test this week.