BERLIN (AP) — Another member of US President Joe Biden’s cabinet has tested positive for COVID-19: Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Becerra tested positive for the virus on Wednesday during his trip to Berlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said. The secretary is fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms.
HHS spokeswoman Sarah Lovenheim said the official will continue to work during his isolation.
The last time Becerra visited the White House was on Thursday of last week. He is not considered a close contact of Biden.
Becerra was in Berlin to attend a meeting of health ministers from the G-7 countries on Thursday and Friday. The meeting focuses on drawing lessons from the pandemic, protecting vulnerable and unvaccinated people against COVID-19, and how to relieve pressure on health systems.
On Tuesday, Becerra met with German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. At another time he was with the director of the German disease control agency, Lothar Wieler, with two of the country’s leading virus experts and with the management of the largest hospital in Berlin: Charite.
None of its offices immediately responded to requests for comment.
Photos posted on social media of meetings with Wieler showed the men standing together without masks but wearing them indoors.
Before Berlin, Becerra attended a meeting of health ministers in Bali, Indonesia.
A wave of coronavirus cases has recently spread through the Washington political class, and among those infected have been Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, White House staff and legislators such as the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Nancy Pelosi.
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Murphy reported in Indianapolis.
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