U.S.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tests Positive For COVID-19

A department spokesperson said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive and will work from home under protocols recommended by the CDC.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tests Positive For COVID-19
Patrick Semansky / AP
SMS

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive Tuesday for COVID-19 and is isolating at home, the agency said.

The secretary has been fully vaccinated and is experiencing only “mild congestion,” DHS said in a statement.

Mayorkas was about to leave for Colombia with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Instead,

the agency said he will work from home under the protocols recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention.

DHS said contract tracing is being done to check for possible exposure among others.

Mayorkas was with President Joe Biden Saturday at the annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the Capitol, standing on the podium between first lady Jill Biden and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Additional reporting by The Associated Press.