Reports: White House complex cafeteria worker tests positive for covid-19

A cafeteria worker in the White House complex that caters to President Trump’s staffers has tested positive for the coronavirus, but the risk of transmission is considered to be low, according to multiple reports.

The eatery is in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, according to NBC News. A report from CNN citing an email identifies it as Ike’s Eatery and indicates it, as well as the New Executive Office Building cafeteria, have been temporarily closed.

A cafeteria worker on White House grounds tests positive for Covid-19 as staffers are urged not to panic https://t.co/IUWP75SXpp

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 23, 2020

The Eisenhower Executive Office Building is across West Executive Avenue from the West Wing, according to NBC, and much of the White House’s senior staff work there. Its eatery is run by a private contractor, unlike the White House Mess, which is operated by the Navy.

Contact tracing has been done, and no executive office staff need to quarantine, according to CNN’s reporting.

According to a comment given to NBC by the General Services Administration, which maintains the building, “All proper protocols were in place by the vendor including masks, gloves, plastic shielding at check out, and no dine-in service. The White House Medical Unit has done contact tracing and determined that the risk of retransmission is low.”

Breaking via NBC: The White House is conducting contract tracing after a cafeteria worker tested positive for coronavirus, three Trump administration officials tell NBC News.https://t.co/bjmWc2P8SR

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 23, 2020

It’s not the first time someone in Trump’s vicinity has tested positive for the coronavirus. Two White House staffers and a personal valet, who is a member of the Navy, tested positive in May, according to CNN.

Last month, six campaign staffers on the advance team for a Trump rally in Oklahoma tested positive.

Days later, two staffers who attended the rally tested positive.

Recently, the White House ended temperature checks for those entering the grounds, but those coming near the president still receive rapid tests for covid-19, according to NBC.