US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reported Sunday that he contracted COVID-19, as the highly infectious omicron variant spreads across the United States.
Austin’s symptoms have been "mild" and will remain in quarantine at home for the next five days, the Pentagon chief said in a statement.
Austin stressed that he is fully vaccinated and with the booster, which "made the infection much milder than it would have been".
"Vaccines work and will continue to be a military medical requirement for our workforce"Austin recalled.
"I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get it.".
Austin claimed he was last in contact with President Joe Biden on December 21, more than a week before he began experiencing symptoms, and tested negative that morning.
He confirmed in a statement that he will retain all authority and virtually attend key meetings and discussions. "as far as possible".
Austin is the latest high-profile U.S. official to contract COVID-19, with the omicron variant generating a record spike in infections.
Several prominent members of Congress recently revealed that they had tested positive for the virus. Biden’s press secretary Jen Psaki contracted it in October.
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