Representative Cedric L. Richmond, Democrat of Louisiana and one of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s closest advisers, has tested positive for the coronavirus and has started a 14-day quarantine, a spokeswoman for the transition said Thursday evening.
Mr. Richmond, who has been a lawmaker since 2011, is the first announced member of Mr. Biden’s White House staff to test positive.
He is slated to join Mr. Biden’s administration as a senior adviser and director of the Office of Public Engagement.
A rapid test for the virus on Wednesday was positive, the transition said, and a more precise test on Thursday was also positive.
Mr. Biden tested negative for the virus on Thursday, Ms. Bedingfield said.
Persons:
Cedric L, Joseph R, Biden, ’, Richmond, Biden’s, Kate Bedingfield, Mr, Ms, Bedingfield, ”
Organizations:
Biden’s White House, Public
Locations:
Richmond, Democrat, Louisiana, Georgia