US Secretary of Defense Austin positive for COVID-19, mild symptoms Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said he tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday with mild symptoms, but said he would keep all authorities in the quarantine for the next five days.

The positive test for Austin came when the Pentagon tightened restrictions on its headquarters last week due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant, which has caused a sharp rise in COVID-19 infections worldwide.

The military faces the challenge of maintaining military readiness to make troops, often close to ships and aircraft.

Austin, who is fully vaccinated and has received promotion, said in a statement that he last met President Joe Biden on December 21, less than a week before his symptoms began.

“My doctor made it clear to me that fully embedded conditions – and the promotion I received in early October – have made the infection much milder than it would otherwise be,” Austin added.

Austin said he was asked earlier on Sunday after having symptoms at home on holiday.

Austin is one of the leading members of the administration of Joe Biden, who has tested positive for COVID-19.

In October, Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for the virus.

U.S. authorities registered at least 346,869 new coronaviruses on Saturday, according to a Reuters count. As a result of COVID-19, the death toll in the U.S. rose by at least 377 to 828,562.

Austin said he intended to attend meetings almost whenever possible and would keep all authorities in check.

Kathleen Hicks added that she would replace her deputy in some matters.

“I continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to receive a booster shot to take one. This remains a ready issue,” Austin said.

98% of active troops received the COVID-19 vaccine, which is now mandatory.