Defense Secretary Austin tests positive for Covid

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tested positive for coronavirus Monday morning, he said in a statement.

Austin said he is experiencing mild symptoms and will remain in quarantine at home for five days.

“I will retain all authorities and plan to maintain my normal work schedule virtually from home,” Austin wrote.

The defense secretary last saw President Joe Biden in person on July 29, he said. Biden had first tested positive for the virus on July 21 and ended his quarantine following negative tests on July 27. The president’s case then rebounded with another positive test on July 30.

Just as Biden did over the course of his illness, Austin, who is 69 years old, credited his mild symptoms to being vaccinated and boosted. He previously contracted Covid in January.