Kamala Harris.Photo: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT/AFP via Getty
U.S. Vice PresidentKamala Harrishas been exposed to a staffer who tested positive for COVID-19.
Harris, 57, was with a staffer “throughout the day Tuesday” who tested positive for the coronavirus the following morning, the White Houseconfirmed Wednesday via a briefing room statement.
“Yesterday, Monday and every day last week, this staff member tested negative for COVID-19,” the statement read. “This staff member is fully vaccinated and boosted and did not experience symptoms.”
The brief went on to say that Harris received a routine antigen test on Wednesday morning, and in light of the staffer’s test result, also a PCR test, both of which were found to be negative.
“She will be tested again on Friday then again on Monday per CDC guidance,” the release read.
“As CDC guidance does not require fully vaccinated people to quarantine after an exposure, the Vice President will continue with her daily schedule,” the White House also noted.
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Breakthrough cases— COVID-19 infections that occur in people who have been fully vaccinated against the virus — are possible and expected, as the vaccines are not 100% effective in preventing infections. Still, vaccinated people who test positive will likely be asymptomatic or experience a far milder illness than if they were not vaccinated. The majority of deaths from COVID-19 — around 98 to 99% —are in unvaccinated people.
Also on Wednesday, Harrisappeared on her own Twitterin a videotaped statement wearing a mask, to speak about the three-month extension to the moratorium on student loan repayments.
The VP’s COVID exposure follows just days afterPresident Bidenwas alsoexposed to the virus, when he spent some 30 minutes with a mid-level staffer on Friday who went on to test positive on Monday.
Press secretaryJen Psaki said at the timethat the president — who is “tested regularly” — received a negative PCR test on Monday. He was to be tested again on Wednesday.
Additionally, it was reported this week that Harris' nieceMeena Harris has also tested positivefor COVID-19 with a breakthrough case.
“I have COVID,” Meena, 37,began in a tweeton Tuesday. “Based on what I know, after testing negative several times last week, either I infected my friend or she infected me. So far her symptoms are 10x worse than mine. I’m boosted. She’s not. Get the booster, people.”
The news comes as the omicron variant of COVID-19continues to sweep the nation and the world, accounting for a majority of reported cases in the United States last week.
As information about thecoronavirus pandemicrapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from theCDC,WHOandlocal public health departments.PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMeto raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, clickhere.
source: people.com
