Because of their positive diagnosis, Emhoff and Harris skipped Tuesday’s equal pay event at The White House. Emhoff hosted an outdoor gardening event in Northeast Washington, D.C., on Tuesday earlier. According to a White House official, Emhoff is not considered close to the president.

“Earlier today, Second Gentleman tested positive to COVID-19,” stated Sabrina Singh, Deputy Press Secretary of the Vice President. The vice president will not be participating in tonight’s event out of an abundance caution. Today’s COVID-19 test was negative by the vice president. He will continue testing.

Harris was joined by President Biden Tuesday to sign a bill. Harris’s decision to quarantine is still unknown.

Although Emhoff is not a White House employee but his diagnosis is important due to his standing and interactions with other high-ranking officials.

According to the White House, Biden had been last tested on Sunday and was found negative.

During the equal-pay event, Mr. Biden claimed that “the first lady’s spouse” had contracted COVID-19. First lady Jill Biden corrected him.