Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Catches Up To Vice President
San Francisco Chronicle: Vice President Kamala Harris Tests Positive For COVID-19 After California Trip
Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, her office announced, making her the highest-ranking member of the Biden administration to announce being infected. Harris has no symptoms and is working from her home, according to her press secretary. The former California senator and attorney general returned to Washington late Monday after spending last week in Los Angeles and has not been in contact with President Biden or first lady Jill Biden, her office said. (Kopan, 4/26)
AP: Harris Positive For COVID-19, Biden Not A 'Close Contact'
Neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a “close contact” of Harris in recent days, said the vice president’s press secretary, Kirsten Allen. Harris had been scheduled to attend Biden’s Tuesday morning Presidential Daily Brief but was not present, the White House said. She had returned Monday from a weeklong trip to the West Coast. The last time she saw Biden was the previous Monday, April 18.“I have no symptoms, and I will continue to isolate and follow CDC guidelines,” Harris tweeted. “I’m grateful to be both vaccinated and boosted.” (Miller, 4/26)
The Hill: Harris Prescribed COVID-19 Antiviral Pill After Testing Positive
Vice President Harris has been prescribed and has taken Paxlovid, an antiviral pill used to treat COVID-19. Harris press secretary Kirsten Allen tweeted the announcement about the vice president’s treatment on Tuesday. It came just hours after it was announced that Harris, who is fully vaccinated and boosted, tested positive for COVID-19. (Beals, 4/26)
In related news about covid in Congress —
AP: Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden Positive For COVID-19, Mild Symptoms
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden tested positive Tuesday for COVID-19, his office said, as the virus continues to circulate among lawmakers and policymakers in the nation’s capitol. The Oregon Democrat tested positive during a routine screening and is experiencing mild symptoms, his office said in a statement. (4/26)
AP: Sen. Chris Murphy Tests Positive For The Coronavirus
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said he tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday after experiencing mild symptoms overnight.“ We’ve done the contact tracing and let people know,” the Democrat said in a Twitter post. “It’s a bummer, but I’m sure if I wasn’t fully vaccinated I would be feeling a lot worse. So remember to get your booster!” (4/26)
AP: North Carolina Rep. Deborah Ross Tests Positive For COVID-19
U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross said she tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. In a tweet, the first-term Democrat from Raleigh representing the 2nd Congressional District said she’s experiencing mild symptoms. She said she will quarantine and avoid traveling, in keeping with guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (4/26)
