US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said he tested positive for Covid-19 with mild symptoms and would attend meetings virtually as he quarantined at home for the next five days.

Austin, who is fully vaccinated and received a booster in early October, said in a statement he last met President Joe Biden on Dec 21, more than a week before he started experiencing symptoms.

“As my doctor made clear to me, my fully vaccinated status and the booster I received in early October have rendered the infection much more mild than it would otherwise have been,” Austin added.

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