A Brazilian official who met with President Trump at his Florida resort last weekend has tested positive for the coronavirus, but the president said he’s not worried about it.
Fabio Wajngarten, a spokesman for Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive for COVID-19, Brazilian officials said.
Mr. Wajngarten was photographed standing next to Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at Mar-a-Lago during meetings with Mr. Bolsonaro.
Mr. Trump said of his encounter with the infected man, “I’m not concerned.”
He did not say whether he has decided to get tested in light of the development. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rick Scott of Florida, who also were exposed to the man, decided Thursday to self-quarantine. Mr. Graham is being tested.
“I did hear something about that,” Mr. Trump said of the Brazilian’s positive test. “We had dinner together in Florida at Mar-a-Lago with the entire [Brazilian] delegation. We did nothing very unusual. We [he and Mr. Bolsonaro] sat next to each other for a period of time, had a great conversation.”
He added, “We’ll find out what happens.”
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said officials are awaiting the outcome of tests to confirm the Brazilian’s initial positive test.
“Exposures from the case are being assessed, which will dictate next steps,” she said. “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.”
She said the White House Medical Unit and the Secret Service have been “working closely with various agencies to ensure every precaution is taken to keep the First and 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,” she said. “We are monitoring the situation closely and will update everyone as we get more information.”
Mr. Scott, who was exposed to the man during a meeting with the Brazilians on Monday in Miami, said he has decided to self-quarantine. He said the Brazilian Embassy notified his office on Thursday about Mr. Wajngarten’s positive test.
“While I do not believe I interacted with the infected person, that individual was in the same room as me,” Mr. Scott said in a statement. “After consulting with the Senate’s attending physician and my personal doctor, I have been told that my risk is low, and I don’t need to take a test or quarantine.”
But he said “the health and safety of the American people is my focus, and I have made the decision to self-quarantine in an abundance of caution.”
“I am feeling healthy and not experiencing any symptoms at this time,” Mr. Scott said. “I will still be working on my plan to combat coronavirus and protect American families, and my offices in D.C. and throughout the state will still be fully operational to help Floridians.”
The senator canceled a press conference Thursday at which he was to announce legislation to expand access to coronavirus testing.
Mr. Graham also was at Mar-a-Lago last weekend with the Brazilian delegation. His office said late Thursday that Mr. Graham “has no recollection of direct contact with the President of Brazil, who is awaiting results of a coronavirus test, or his spokesman who tested positive.”
“However, in an abundance of caution and upon the advice of his doctor, Senator Graham has decided to self-quarantine awaiting the results of a coronavirus test,” the statement said. “This is a precautionary measure. He will continue to work from home.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.