Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday afternoon via a PCR test, the State Department said in a statement.
“The Secretary is fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus and is experiencing only mild symptoms,” the State Department said. “He tested negative on Tuesday and again as recently as this morning. The Secretary has not seen President Biden in person for several days, and the President is not considered a close contact according to guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).”
ait added that in accordance with the CDC guidelines and in consultation with the Department’s Bureau of Medical Services, the Secretary will isolate at home and maintain a virtual work schedule.
“He looks forward to returning to the Department and resuming his full duties and travels as soon as possible.
“Secretary Blinken is grateful to the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who provide the State Department workforce with exemplary health services around the world and encourages all Americans who are eligible to get fully vaccinated and boosted in order to protect themselves and their loved ones from developing severe COVID-19 disease,” the Department added.
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