The valet's positive diagnosis sparks fear of COVID-19 spread in the West Wing, but the White House assures that the president and Vice President Mike Pence 'have since tested negative for the virus.'

• May 8, 2020

AceShowbiz - One of Donald Trump's personal valets has tested positive for coronavirus. The White House confirmed on Thursday, May 7 that the staffer, who is a member of an elite military unit dedicated to serve meals and look after personal needs of the president, has contracted the virus.

According to CNN, the president was upset when he was informed on Wednesday about the valet's positive diagnosis. The 73-year-old, who is believed to have had close or prolonged contact with the aide before the illness was diagnosed, has since been tested again for COVID-19.

"I've had very little contact, personal contact, with this gentleman," Trump said when asked about the valet. He added, "Know who he is, good person, but I've had very little contact, Mike has had very little contact with him. Mike tested, and I was tested, we were both tested."

The White House has also stated that both Trump and Vice President Mike have tested negative for the novel virus. "We were recently notified by the White House Medical Unit that a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested positive for Coronavirus," deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said in a statement. "The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health."

As concerns rise about the possibility of the virus spread in the West Wing, White House spokesman Judd Deere also assured that "the president's physician and White House Operations continue to work closely to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the President, first family and the entire White House Complex safe and healthy at all times."

Deere said that "in addition to social distancing, daily temperature checks and symptom histories, hand sanitizer, and regular deep cleaning of all work spaces" occurs, the safety measures taken include that "every staff member in proximity to the president and vice president is being tested daily for covid-19 as well as any guests."