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CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms

Walensky is up to date on her vaccinations
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine an update on the ongoing Federal response to COVID-19, June 16, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that Walensky tested positive Friday, Oct. 21, and has mild symptoms.
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
(AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)
FILE - Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine an update on the ongoing Federal response to COVID-19, June 16, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that Walensky tested positive Friday, Oct. 21, and has mild symptoms.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to examine an update on the ongoing Federal response to COVID-19, June 16, 2022, on Capitol Hill in Washington. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement that Walensky tested positive Friday, Oct. 21, and has mild symptoms.
Posted at 3:31 PM, Oct 23, 2022
and last updated 2022-10-23 15:38:12-04

ATLANTA — The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who is up to date on her vaccinations, tested positive Friday night and had mild symptoms, the CDC said in a statement.

"Consistent with CDC guidelines, she is isolating at home and will participate in her planned meetings virtually," the agency said. Senior staff and close contacts have been informed of her positive test and are monitoring their health.

Walensky, who took over the CDC in January 2021 after being appointed by President Joe Biden, is the latest U.S. health official to test positive for COVID-19 this year.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the face of America's pandemic response, and U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra both tested positive in June.

(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)