US CDC Director Leading COVID-19 Response Also Self-Quarantines Amid White House Staff Infections (Update)

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Even the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has entered self-quarantine due to COVID-19. This is because he attended the White House COVID-19 Task Force (TF) and was possibly exposed to the virus.

According to CNN, CDC Director Robert Redfield has started a two-week period of working from home. Director Redfield entered self-quarantine after coming into contact with a COVID-19 positive patient within the COVID-19 response TF.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

A CDC spokesperson explained, "Director Redfield was exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual at the White House on the 6th," adding, "Although the likelihood of exposure is low, he has decided to work from home." The spokesperson also stated, "His current health condition is good, and he shows no symptoms."

The official added, "If there is a situation where Director Redfield must go to the White House, he will attend," and "He will follow the safety guidelines that must be observed when exposed to infectious disease patients at the CDC."

Earlier, Steven Hahn, the head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), also announced his self-quarantine for the same reason.

According to the Washington Post (WP) and others, considering that Kate Miller, the press secretary for the U.S. Vice President, tested positive for COVID-19, it is highly likely that the COVID-19 positive individual who came into contact with Directors Redfield and Hahn was Miller. Miller is known to have attended the COVID-19 response TF meetings.

In addition to Directors Redfield and Hahn, other U.S. COVID-19 response leaders such as Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and Debbie Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, have also attended these meetings.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

With consecutive COVID-19 cases emerging at the White House, the White House itself is now on high alert. Miller’s husband is Stephen Miller, a senior advisor to President Trump and a key aide. Because of this, COVID-19 diagnostic tests have been conducted on the president’s close aides.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.