United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated against the drug.
The test is coming just days after Collin Powel, the first Black US secretary of state, also fully vaccinated died from COVID-19 complications.
He died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on Facebook. Powell also had multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells that suppresses the body’s immune response, according to a source.
Secretary Mayorkas tested positive this morning for COVID-19 after taking a test as part of routine pre-travel protocols. He is experiencing only mild congestion; he is fully vaccinated and will isolate and work at home per CDC protocols and medical advice.
READ ALSO: COVID: Pfizer, Moderna, others prioritize own profits through monopolies
Mayorkas was scheduled to join US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his trip to Colombia to discuss various issues, including irregular migration and narcotics trafficking, but will no longer be travelling due to the positive test.
The homeland security chief, who was fully vaccinated, represents another so-called “breakthrough” case among high-ranking government officials such as state Department spokesperson Ned Price, who recently recovered from a bout of COVID-19.
The White House said in a statement that no principal has been determined to be in close contact with Mayorkas because the most recent contact was during the outdoor National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service that took place on Saturday that falls outside the 48-hour close contact window.
Mayorkas had contact with President Joe Biden at the 40th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Saturday.