Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tested positive for COVID-19 for the second time, making him one of the highest-ranking Biden administration officials to be diagnosed with the disease in recent weeks.
Austin, who is fully vaccinated and has received two booster shots, tested positive on Monday morning and is experiencing mild symptoms, the defense secretary said in a statement. The Biden official said he will quarantine at home for the next five days in accordance with recent guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will maintain his normal work schedule.
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“My doctor told me that my fully vaccinated status, including two booster shots, is why my symptoms are less severe than would otherwise be the case. I will continue to consult closely with my doctor in the coming days,” he said in a statement. “Vaccinations continue to both slow the spread of COVID-19 and to make its health effects less severe. Vaccination remains a medical requirement for our workforce, and I continue to encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated and boosted.”
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Austin previously tested positive for COVID-19 in January.
His latest diagnosis makes him the latest official in the Biden administration to test positive in recent weeks. President Joe Biden also recently recovered from COVID-19 after experiencing a rebound case in late July. Austin hasn’t been in contact with Biden since July 29, which was before the president tested positive for a second time.
