In this file photo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo leaves the White House after visiting with family December 11, 2020, in Washington, DC. (Photo:Agencies)

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be in quarantine after contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, the US State Department said in a release on Wednesday.

"Secretary Pompeo has been identified as having come into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID. For reasons of privacy we can't identify that individual. The Secretary has been tested and is negative. In accordance with CDC guidelines, he will be in quarantine. He is being closely monitored by the Department's medical team," said the release.

US media have criticized Pompeo and the State Department for hosting holiday parties during the pandemic.