Covid news: Moderna asks FDA to allow second booster use for all adults

President Biden canceled his one-on-one meetings with Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin on Thursday after the prime minister received a positive result in a coronavirus test during a party in Washington on Wednesday night attended by the two men.

Daniel Mulhall, Ireland’s ambassador to the US, confirmed the positive test early Thursday, complicating the prime minister’s plans to spend the day with Mr. Biden Street. Patrick’s Day Celebrations.

Mr. Biden and mr. Instead, Martin met virtually Thursday morning, with Mr. Biden sitting near a TV screen showing mr. Martin, with a pot of shamrocks on a coffee table. The president said he was “deeply sorry for the inconvenience” of the default format.

White House officials said Mr. Biden, the 79-year-old who has been vaccinated and bolstered, has not had close contact with Mr. Biden. Martin during the Wednesday party that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines it as being within six feet of someone for at least 15 minutes. Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Mr. Biden is tested weekly for the coronavirus, and his last test was on Sunday.

“We, of course, adhere to what his doctor’s recommendations and advice are,” she said at a news conference Thursday. “And if it does increase testing, we will certainly do so. But he doesn’t feel that it is necessary at this point in time based on these recent contacts.”

The prime minister’s test result came amid a flurry of infections among government officials in Washington in recent days. at most Nine Democrats in Congress have tested positive This week after the party’s retreat and late-night vote last week. Douglas ImhoffVice President Kamala Harris’ husband also tested positive this week, as did her Former President Barack Obama.

White House officials have downplayed the recent wave of cases, noting that the overall rate in Washington remains too low. Ms. Psaki said Thursday that the new replacement Omicron, Known as BA.2has been circulating around the country for some time now, and the administration has been watching cases in Europe And in China. New cases in the United States have fallen from the peak of the omicron increase.

“We expect some volatility, especially at this relatively low level.” Psaki said adding that the country Better positioned to manage the epidemic.

“It hasn’t gone away, and that means we still need to keep taking steps we can fight the virus,” she said.

Mr. Mulhall He said on Twitter that he had accepted the leadership award for mr. Martin on Wednesday at the Irish Funds Gala in Washington, an event presented by Mr. Martin. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also attended.

“I responded to Taoiseach after he tested positive #Covid 19He wrote using the Irish word for leader of the country. “I wish Taoiseach good luck for his recovery.”

The spokesperson’s office confirmed that Ms. Pelosi, Who has been vaccinated? And boost up, he tested negative on a PCR test Thursday morning, and will continue regular testing and To follow CDC guidelines, although it was not clear which one. It wasn’t clear if the attending physician’s office had considered Miss. Pelosi, 81, to be in close contact.

Ms. Pelosi, who is pictured sitting next to Mr. Martin appeared during the ceremony at her weekly press conference on Thursday, adding that she gets tested almost every day. Mr. Martin remained disguised until food was served, she said, and pulled aside during the appetizer course about his positive test.

“We are very sad that we are on St. Street, as she removed her mask to speak and answer questions,” she said at her internal press conference. “We will not be able to take advantage of the honor of his presence.”

A scheduled lunch – The Friends of Ireland Luncheon on Capitol Hill – began on Thursday, without Mr. Martin present. Ms. Pelosi address the room, where lawmakers sat at round tables, while introducing Mr. Biden, who sat on a chair a few feet away. Neither of them wore a mask, and there were only a few face coverings in the room.

“Irish children have blessed America, and one of those Irish children is now the President of the United States,” said Ms. Pelosi said, just before shaking hands and taking the podium. Mr. Biden spoke, but he did not stay for lunch.

Irish journalists traveling with mr. Martin’s delegation reported that he attended the first part of the ceremony, and photos from the event appear to show him sitting next to the lady. Pelosi.

An Irish government spokesman said in a statement on Thursday that the prime minister tested negative for the virus earlier on Wednesday and also on Sunday, before traveling to the United States.

The statement said his second test on Wednesday was taken after a member of the prime minister’s delegation obtained a positive test result.

Mr. Mulhall did not say whether Mr. Martin had symptoms.