Kamala Harris tests positive for COVID-19 after weeklong trip to California

The White House announced on Tuesday that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19 after returning from a weeklong trip to her home state of California.

According to a report from CNN, the vice president arrived at the White House on Tuesday morning and was immediately tested, per current protocols. After testing positive, she returned home to her residence at the Naval Observatory, where she is currently isolating.

"Today, Vice President Harris tested positive for Covid-19 on rapid and PCR tests. She has exhibited no symptoms, will isolate and continue to work from the vice president's residence," Kirsten Allen, the vice president's press secretary, said in a statement.

“She has not been a close contact to the President or First Lady due to their respective recent travel schedules. She will follow CDC guidelines and the advice of her physicians. The Vice President will return to the White House when she tests negative,” she added.

According to a White House official, Harris was scheduled to receive her intelligence briefing on Tuesday morning alongside President Joe Biden, but ultimately did not attend any meetings or events at the White House on Tuesday, CNN reported.

Allen also noted that Harris, 57, is fully vaccinated, has received two booster shots and is not presently exhibiting any symptoms. The vice president is the highest-level Biden administration official to test positive for COVID-19 since White House Press Secretary announced she had tested positive in March.

Harris tested positive just days after the U.S. lifted most of its COVID-19 restrictions and measures.  

Although the White House has continued to hold crowded indoor events where masks are optional, Biden Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said the government is not considering returning to pandemic-era restrictions.

"We are continuing to implement the return-to-work policy and feel we have the measures necessary to do that," she said.