US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien has become thehighest-ranking official close to President Donald Trump to test positive forCovid-19, according to a statement circulated by the White House.
"There is no risk of exposure to the President or theVice President. The work of the National Security Council continuesuninterrupted," the unsigned statement said on Monday.
"He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating andworking from a secure location off-site," it added.
It was not known how or where he contracted the disease orwhen and how he was found to be positive.
He had recently travelled to France for consultations withEuropean officials on China's threats and to Arizona, which is having a seriousoutbreak of the disease.
Trump and everyone close to him, including journalistscovering the White House, are routinely tested for Covid-19.
Trump's valet -the equivalent to a personal butler - hadtested positive for Covid-19 in May. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence wereimmediately tested and found to be negative.
Around the same time, Anthony Fauci, the leading USauthority on the Covid-19 pandemic, and two other members of the White HouseCoronavirus Task Force went into quarantine after having come into contact withsome persons infected with the disease.
Closer to Trump's family, Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriendof Trump's son, had tested positive earlier this month. Trump Jr did not testpositive.
Pence's Press Secretary Katie Miller, who is married toTrump's Senior Adviser Stephen Miller, was found to be infected with thecoronavirus in May.