Alarm mounted further after at least two Republican lawmakers who recently met with President Donald Trump announced they were going into self-quarantine, fearing that they were exposed to the virus at a conservative conference just outside Washington, AFP reported.

Trump has not been tested for the virus, White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said.

"He has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms," she said in a statement.

Asked if Trump had been tested for the virus, Vice President Mike Pence said: "I honestly don't know."

Opinion

Editorial

Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...
Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...