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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19, according to her office, marking the first time the Democratic leader has contracted the virus after two years of touting strict coronavirus protocols at the House.
Her spokesman made the announcement Thursday just as Pelosi, 82, was scheduled to hold her weekly news conference at the U.S. Capitol.
"After testing negative this week, Speaker Pelosi received a positive test result for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic," Drew Hammill tweeted. "The Speaker is fully vaccinated and boosted, and is thankful for the robust protection the vaccine has provided."
President Joe Biden kisses House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., during an Affordable Care Act event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 5, 2022. At left is House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C., and right is Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa. Pelosi has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic, her spokesman Drew Hammill said in a tweet Thursday, April 7. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
US ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
He added: "The Speaker will quarantine consistent with CDC guidance, and encourages everyone to get vaccinated, boosted and test regularly."
Pelosi was at the White House Wednesday in close proximity to President Biden for a bill signing event for postal reform legislation. She was unmasked next to Biden. On Tuesday, Pelosi was also at the White House for the Affordable Care Act event with Biden and former President Obama. She was seen kissing Biden on the cheek Tuesday at that event.
President Joe Biden signs the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Watching from left are Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and Annette Taylor. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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The White House said Thursday that Biden tested negative for the virus Wednesday night, and Pelosi was not considered a close contact – as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as contact of at least 15 minutes at less than six feet apart.
"The President is not considered a close contact of Speaker Pelosi as defined by the CDC. The President saw Speaker Pelosi at White House events and had brief interactions over the course of the last two days," the White House said in a statement. "Last night as a part of his regular testing cadence, the President tested negative. He will continue to be tested regularly. The President wishes Speaker Pelosi a speedy recovery."
Biden's sister, Valarie Biden Owens, also reportedly tested positive for COVID-19. And two Biden cabinet members tested positive this week: Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, after attending Saturday's Gridiron Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Pelosi was quick to back mask mandates, social distancing and proxy voting at the House of Representatives with the start of the pandemic. But with the widespread availability of vaccines and boosters, restrictions have loosened in recent months to mark Biden's first formal State of the Union address to all of Congress.
President Joe Biden signs the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 6, 2022. The long-fought postal overhaul has been years in the making. It comes amid widespread complaints about mail service slowdowns. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 5: Former President Barack Obama hugs Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) at the end of an event to mark the 2010 passage of the Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House on April 5, 2022 in Washington, DC. With then-Vice President Joe Biden by his side, Obama signed 'Obamacare' into law on March 23, 2010. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Fox News' Pat Ward and Isabelle Beyda contributed to this report.
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