Trump’s national security adviser tests positive for COVID-19

WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Robert O’Brien has tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

“Robert O’Brien has tested positive, but there is no risk of exposure to Trump or Vice President Mike Pence, the White House said in a statement.

“Robert O’Brien has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off-site. There is no risk of exposure to the President or the Vice President. The work of the National Security Council continues uninterrupted,” the statement added.

The statement further said staff is regularly tested for the COVID-19, and O’Brien is the most senior official to be found positive amid the plague.

The United States recorded more than 1,096 deaths from COVID-19 for the 6th straight day on Monday but a top White House advisor on the pandemic said the worst could be over in hard-hit states.

At least 1,210 fatalities due to COVID-19 were confirmed nationwide on Monday, following 1,140 on Sunday, 1,135 on Saturday and 1,141 on Friday, 985 on  Tuesday. Total cases across the United States rose by at least 4,384,069 and death stands at 149,945 on Monday.

The numbers have been driven in large part by a surge in infections in Arizona, California, Florida, Texas and California.