Attorney General Merrick Garland tests positive for Covid hours after event with FBI director, other top officials

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces enforcement actions against Russia, during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., April 6, 2022.

The Attorney General tested positive for Covid just hours after speaking at a press conference with other top Biden administration officials.

The Department of Justice said Garland asked to be tested for the virus after learning he may have been exposed. The Justice Department said that he will work from home while isolating for five days.

A DOJ official told CNBC that the attorney general is not considered to be close to the president. The official said that the previous meeting was at an outdoor signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.

A growing number of politicians and journalists have tested positive for Covid after Garland went to a white-tie dinner over the weekend.

Gina Raimondo, the Commerce Secretary, received a positive test result.

The two congressmen, who were at the dinner, shared their positive Covid test results on Tuesday.

U.S.Deputy U.S. Attorney General Lisa Monaco speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Justice Department on April 06, 2022 in Washington, DC. U.S.

More than 600 political elites and media figures attended the Gridiron Club and Foundation dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in D.C.

The traditional event features high-profile figures, including U.S. presidents, cracking political jokes.

The first Gridiron dinner since the start of the coronaviruses epidemic in 2020 was held on Saturday night, an annual event which has been held in various forms for more than a century.

This is breaking news. You can check back for updates.

CNBC's Amanda Macias contributed to the report.