US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser has tested positive for COVID-19.
The White House confirmed that Robert O’Brien has “mild symptoms” of the virus – making him the highest-ranking US official to test positive so far.
Mr O’Brien has been self-isolating and “working from a secure location off site”, the White House said.
Trump concedes pandemic will ‘get worse’
“There is no risk of exposure to the president or the vice president,” it added.
“The work of the National Security Council continues uninterrupted.”
Bloomberg News reported that Mr O’Brien, who has been Mr Trump’s national security adviser for less than a year, came down with the virus after a family event.
Previously, a personal valet to Mr Trump and the vice president’s press secretary Katie Miller tested positive for the virus.
Senior White House staff and anyone who comes into close contact with the president are tested for the virus every day.
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US infection rates of coronavirus have been climbing since mid-June, with more than four million cases confirmed across the country.
More 146,000 people in the US have died with COVID-19.
Last week, Mr Trump said the coronavirus pandemic “will probably get worse before it gets better” as he told Americans to wear masks when they cannot socially distance.