Trump campaign adviser Corey Lewandowski tests positive for COVID-19, latest in a series of cases

WASHINGTON – Corey Lewandowski, a top adviser to President Donald Trump's reelection effort, has tested positive for COVID-19, the latest member of the president's inner circle to contract the illness in recent weeks.

Lewandowski confirmed the results of the test Thursday.

Lewandowski served as the manager of Trump's 2016 campaign and then remerged as a top adviser in this year's campaign. He tested positive earlier this week after working in Pennsylvania on the president's efforts to challenge that state's election results.

His is the latest in a series of announcements of positive test results among those close to Trump, including David Bossie, another adviser to the president, and Mark Meadows, the president's chief of staff. Another campaign aide, Nick Trainer, also tested positive for the virus, according to several media reports.

Meanwhile, the chief of staff at the Republican National Committee, Richard Walters, has also tested positive for the virus, an RNC official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss an internal matter.

Lewandowski was present on election night at the White House for a gathering after initial results showed Trump ahead in several states. Meadows and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, who were also present at the gathering, also tested positive in recent days.

The latest outbreak of cases within Trump's orbit comes as the president is challenging the results of the election with President-elect Joe Biden in a series of lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan and other states. Trump has alleged fraud in the vote counting but has not provided evidence to document widespread fraud at a level that could change the course of the outcome.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Corey Lewandowski, a top adviser to Trump, tests positive for COVID-19