By Judith Gicobi
According to the White House, US Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, however she is asymptomatic and is not deemed a present direct contact of President Joe Biden.
“Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the vice president’s residence,” Kirsten Allen, Harris’ press secretary, acknowledged as much.
“She has not been a close contact to the president or first lady due to their respective recent travel schedules,” Allen said, emphasizing that Harris will “return to the White House when she tests negative.”
Biden called Harris so as to “check in and make sure she has everything she needs as she quarantines at home,” according to a White House statement.
Harris, 57, is the latest in a string of high-profile Covid cases involving the Washington elite, with many members of Congress reporting positive on Tuesday.
Doug Emhoff, the vice president’s spouse, was diagnosed with Covid in March, though Harris tested negative.
“Any American could get Covid,” said Ashish Jha, the new White House Covid-19 response coordinator. “We have a very, very contagious variant out there.”
