(CNSNews.com) – A Brazilian official who met with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida last weekend tested positive for the coronavirus.
Fabio Wajngarten, who serves as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s press aide, was part of a Brazilian delegation who dined with the president over the weekend. He’s suspected of contracting the virus while in the United States.
Speaking to reporters at the White House before a bilateral meeting with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, Trump was asked whether he was in contact with Wajngarten during the Brazilian delegation’s visit.
“Yeah, I did hear something about that. We had dinner together in Florida in -- at Mar-a-Lago, with the entire delegation. I don't know if the press aide was there. If he was there, he was there, but we did -- we did nothing very unusual. We sat next to each other for a period of time, had a great conversation. He's doing a terrific job in Brazil, and we'll find out what happens. I guess they're being tested right now, right?”
The president said, “Let's put it this way: I'm not concerned.”
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a statement Thursday.
“The White House is aware of public reports that a member of the Brazilian delegation‘s visit to Mar-a-Lago last weekend tested positive for COVID-19; confirmatory testing is pending. Exposures from the case are being assessed, which will dictate next steps. Both the President and Vice President had almost no interactions with the individual who tested positive and do not require being tested at this time.
“As stated before, the White House Medical Unit and the United States Secret Service has been working closely with various agencies to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the First & Second Families, and all White House staff healthy.
“To reiterate CDC guidelines, there is currently no indication to test patients without symptoms, and only people with prolonged close exposure to confirmed positive cases should self-quarantine.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and will update everyone as we get more information.”