HHS Secretary Becerra tests positive for COVID-19 again

President Joe Biden’s top health official tested positive for COVID-19 again less than a month after him fell ill with virus symptoms during a trip to Germany.

US Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra woke up again on Monday morning with symptoms and then tested positive, said spokeswoman Sarah Lovenheim.

His symptoms are mild and he is isolating in Sacramento, California. Lovenheim said Becerra was in California on a “personal engagement.”

A statement from HHS said the secretary is not considered to be a close liaison with Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris, who also tested positive earlier this spring.

Becerra continues to work in isolation.

Becerra had joined Biden on the side Summit of the Americas last week in Los Angeles. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that he had tested positive after attending the event, which was attended by dignitaries, diplomats and business leaders from across the hemisphere.

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Becerra is fully vaccinated and has received a booster shot to protect against the virus.

In May, Becerra tested positive while convening in Berlin for a meeting of health ministers from the Group of Seven Wealthy Nations to discuss the ongoing pandemic. His office said at the time he had mild symptoms and was continuing to work from isolation.