Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack “will continue his official duties” while isolating and recovering from Covid-19, said the Agriculture Department on Saturday. Vilsak is the latest among Washington officials, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Attorney General Merrick Garland, to test positive for the disease, in the past week.
Forest Service chief Randy Moore was to fill-in for Vilsack on a trip to Colorado on Monday to kick off the administration’s Rural Infrastructure Tour, said the USDA. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Moore were scheduled to discuss funding to reduce the risk of wildfires.
“I tested positive for COVID. I’m both vaccinated and boosted and thankfully my symptoms are mild,” said Vilsack on social media. “If you have yet to get vaccinated and boosted, please don’t wait.”
The USDA said Vilsack tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday, after experiencing mild symptoms. “Secretary Vilsack will isolate in accordance with CDC guidelines and will return to the office after testing negative for the virus. During that time, he will continue his official duties,” said the USDA in a statement.