Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID; White House says Biden not a ‘close contact’

US Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Harris' ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, on April 15, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
US Vice President Kamala Harris meets with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Harris' ceremonial office in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, on April 15, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

WASHINGTON — US Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 today the White House announces, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the US eases restrictions in a bid to revert to pre-pandemic normalcy.

The White House says that Harris tested positive on both rapid and a PCR tests, and says she “has exhibited no symptoms.” Harris will isolate at her residence but continue to work remotely, and will only return to the White House once she tests negative for the virus.

Harris, 57, 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.

The White House says neither US President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden were considered a “close contact” of Harris in recent days.

Most Popular
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.