US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tests positive for Covid-19

Blinken is latest White House Correspondents’ Dinner attendee to test positive

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday and is experiencing “mild symptoms”, according to the State Department.

His diagnosis marks the latest high-profile Covid infection among attendees of last Saturday’s White House Correspondents Dinner (WHCD). The indoor event was held in Washington over the weekend and included the president and first lady among the star-studded guest list.

The statement from the State Department notes that Mr Blinken is not considered a close contact of the president, who according to the White House tested negative on Wednesday. But Mr Blinken’s diagnosis raises questions regarding whether the administration’s higher-profile officials should be taking part in maskless indoor gatherings even if they are vaccinated.

“Secretary of State Antony J Blinken tested positive for COVID-19 this afternoon via a PCR test. The Secretary is fully vaccinated and boosted against the virus and is experiencing only mild symptoms. He tested negative on Tuesday and again as recently as this morning. The Secretary has not seen President Biden in person for several days, and the President is not considered a close contact according to guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),” said the State Department.

Washington DC continues to regularly see members of the House, Senate, and Biden administration test positive for Covid as the city has largely ended restrictions put in place to stem the virus’ spread, like indoor mask requirements, vaccination checks and other measures.

The president and his wife have continued to escape this trend even as it has touched staffers in the White House and beyond, including his press secretary who was sidelined by the virus earlier this year.