Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious diseases expert, has tested positive for the coronavirus, the National Institutes of Health said Wednesday.
Dr. Fauci tested positive on a rapid antigen test, is experiencing mild symptoms and will work from home.
The 81-year-old doctor is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is one of the main faces of the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He oversees the part of the National Institutes of Health involved in developing the COVID-19 vaccines.
This is the first time Dr. Fauci has reported a positive test since the pandemic began in the U.S. in early 2020. He is fully vaccinated and has been boosted twice, according to his agency.
Real-world experience with the vaccines has shown that vaccinated persons can still test positive for the virus, but they appear to be holding up against severe disease in most people.
NIH said Dr. Fauci is not considered a close contact of President Biden or other high-level officials and will return to work after testing negative.
For more information, visit The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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