WASHINGTON — U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro tested positive Monday for a breakthrough case of COVID-19.
In a prepared statement, Del Toro said that he is following his physician’s instructions to “quarantine for the next five days at a minimum in accordance with CDC guidelines.”
Although the Navy chief expects to participate virtually in “key meetings and discussions,” he noted that Meredith Berger, under secretary of the Navy, will represent him “when necessary” during his “physical absence.”
“I am grateful to be fully vaccinated and to have received the booster shot in October as I know my symptoms could be far worse,” Del Toro stated, adding, “We must continue to vaccinate our naval forces and look out for our physical health as we finish the fight against COVID. The well-being of our Sailors, Marines, Civilians and their families is of the utmost priority.”
Cumulative COVID-19 infections across the United States neared 75 million late Monday, with more than 19 million new cases reported within the past 28 days, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally.
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