Kamala Harris tests positive for coronavirus but has no symptoms
Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive on Tuesday for the coronavirus, but is not experiencing any symptoms, her office said.
The vice president was in California last week, and has not had any recent contact with President Biden and most of the White House staff. She returned to Washington on Monday.
Harris “will isolate and continue to work from the Vice President’s residence,” Kirsten Allen, her spokesperson, said in a statement. “The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative.”
Harris had avoided catching the virus for months, despite close contacts testing positive. Jamal Simmons, her communications advisor, announced a positive result earlier this month; Harris’ husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, contracted the virus in March.
The vice president’s positive test could create governing concerns given that Harris is the first in line of presidential succession to Biden, 79. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), second in line, announced a positive test earlier this month.
The latest wave of COVID, sparked by the Omicron BA. 2 subvariant, has swept through official Washington in recent weeks, , infecting many members of Congress and the executive branch. Simmons tested positive for the virus after attending the April 2 Gridiron dinner, a traditional white-tie gathering of reporters and politicians that features light roasts and songs.
Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland and Gina Raimondo, the secretary of Commerce,, announced positive test results following the dinner, as did Reps. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) and Joaquin Castro (D-Texas).
Harris, 57, has been vaccinated and boosted twice. The shots greatly diminish the chances of her becoming seriously ill.
Former staff writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.