Secretary of State Antony Blinken reviews the US State Department’s budget request for fiscal year 2023 at the Senate Expenditure Subcommittee on State, Foreign Business, and Related Programs at Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, April 27, 2022. I testify that I will do it.
Carolyn Custer | AFP | Getty Images
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday afternoon after he began to experience symptoms. The State Department said.
Blinken, who was completely vaccinated against the coronavirus and was fortified, felt only “mild” symptoms, the agency said. Top US diplomats added that they were not considered a close relationship with Biden.
White House spokesman Jen Psaki said the president had conducted a negative test against Covid on Tuesday.
Blinken’s diagnosis will be made eight days after the Vice President Kamala Harris Tested Coronavirus positive.
The Secretary of State met with Swedish Foreign Minister Anlinde before his positive test on Wednesday.On Tuesday he met Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Evlar..
“We are in the process of doing so, and he has informed the individuals he is in close contact with: [federal health agency] State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Swedish Foreign Minister Anlinde on May 4, 2022 at the State Department in Washington, DC.
Michael McCoy | AFP | Getty Images
Blinken and his wife Evan Ryan, along with Biden, attended the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner in Washington on Saturday night. About 2,600 people participated, including prominent journalists and government officials. Participants had to be vaccinated or had a negative Covid test.
Blinken and his wife were guests at CNBC’s parent company NBCUniversal at the event. An NBC spokesman refused to comment on the diagnosis.
Ryan is Chief Cabinet Secretary of the White House and is the liaison between Biden and the US ministries and agencies that have leaders in the president’s cabinet.
Blinken said, “Isolated at home and he follows. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] Spokesman Price, who also attended the White House Correspondents’ Gala, said “guidelines.” So. ”
Blinken was scheduled to speak at an event at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees at the Kuwait Embassy in Washington before a positive Covid result on the PCR test.
According to Price, the State Department has notified people who were in close contact with Blinken before he was tested positive.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday that Pentagon officials attending a correspondent’s supper did not test positive for Covid.
In addition to Kirby, US Space Force General John Raymond participated in the event.
-Additional reports by Amanda Mathias
Disclosure: NBCUniversal is CNBC’s parent company.
