White House reporter tests negative for coronavirus

A member of the White House press corps has tested negative for the novel coronavirus after exhibiting symptoms earlier this week.

The individual’s test for COVID-19 came back negative on Thursday and the person plans to self-isolate for a week and take another test next week as a precautionary measure, according to the White House Correspondents’ Association.

The possible case prompted the White House to test members of the press planning to attend Thursday’s briefing out of an abundance of caution.

It is not clear whether such tests will become a regular occurrence before the briefings, which take place almost daily and regularly include appearances from President Trump, Vice President Pence and other members of the White House coronavirus task force.

The White House has already taken steps to prevent Trump and Pence’s exposure to the virus.

The White House began administering a rapid coronavirus test to anyone “in close proximity” to either the president or vice president beginning last week.

Trump himself has twice been tested for the virus and received negative results. The first test came after the president interacted with two individuals at his Mar-a-Lago beach club who subsequently tested positive for the virus.

Pence also tested negative for the virus after a member of his staff tested positive on March 21, marking the first known case of the disease in the White House complex.

Another member of the White House press corps suspected of contracting the coronavirus also tested negative for the virus at the end of March.