Washington: Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, the White House announced, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the US eases restrictions in a bid to revert to pre-pandemic normalcy.
As per reports, she has resulted positive both through RT-PCR and rapid tests. The White House in a statement said- she “has exhibited no symptoms.” Ms. Harris will isolate at her residence but continue to work remotely, and would only return to the White House once she tests negative for the virus.
The first Indo-American to take charge at the office, received her first dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine weeks before taking office and a second dose just days after Inauguration Day in 2021. She received a booster shot in late October and an additional booster on April 1. Fully vaccinated and boosted people have a high degree of protection against serious illness and death from COVID-19, particularly from the most common and highly transmissible omicron variant.
According to Harris’ press secretary, neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a close contact of Harris in recent days. Because of their travel schedules, the last time Harris saw Biden was Monday, April 18. The vice president recently returned from a weeklong trip to the West coast.