Anthony S. Fauci, a top government infectious-disease expert and President Biden’s chief medical adviser, tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday, according to a statement from the White House and health officials.
The statement said that Fauci had not recently been in proximity to Biden or other senior officials. He is experiencing mild symptoms and will isolate and continue to work from his home.
Fauci said in April that the United States has moved out of the “full-blown pandemic phase” of fighting the coronavirus, as vaccines and antiviral treatments have limited complications and deaths from contracting an infection. But he has continued to warn of the continuing risks from the virus and in late April backed out of attending the White House correspondents’ dinner, saying that it was his “personal choice” to skip the event, which drew about 2,000 attendees.
Neither Fauci nor the White House immediately responded to requests for more information.
Fauci is slated to testify at a Senate health panel on Thursday morning about the federal government‘s coronavirus response. “Dr. Fauci has asked to participate in the hearing remotely and Chair [Patty] Murray will accommodate him, assuming he continues to feel well enough to participate. Chair Murray also wishes him a speedy recovery,” said a Democratic committee aide.
About half the members of Biden’s Cabinet have shared positive diagnoses in recent months. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra this week tested positive for the virus for the second time in a month. Others who have announced infections include Vice President Harris, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Attorney General Merrick Garland and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. None of the officials experienced severe symptoms, and all recovered quickly.
Yasmeen Abutaleb contributed to this report.
