Trump official Hope Hicks, who traveled with president, tests positive for COVID-19

Hicks traveled with President Donald Trump to a rally, and is the closest aide to test positive so far.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump‘s closest aides, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hicks, who serves as counselor to the president and traveled with him to a Wednesday rally, tested positive Thursday, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private health information. She is the closest aide to Trump to test positive so far.

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In a statement, White House spokesman Judd Deere said, “The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”

U.S. President Donald Trump poses for the news media with Communications Director Hope Hicks on her last day of work at the White House before he departs March 29, 2018 in Washington, DC. Trump is traveling to Ohio to deliver a speech on infrastructure before continuing on to Palm Beach for the Easter holiday weekend. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling,” Deere said.

Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One, the presidential helicopter, for a Minnesota rally Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate.

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Former White House communications director Hope Hicks reacts following U.S. President Donald Trump’s acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn of the White House August 27, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump gave the speech in front of 1500 invited guests. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Hicks, one of the president’s most trusted aides, previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election. The story was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, as well as one of the president’s personal valets.

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