Navy Secretary Del Toro tests positive for Covid

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro has tested positive for coronavirus, according to a statement released Monday.

Del Toro returned from official travel on Friday afternoon, the statement said, and had received negative tests on Jan. 21 and the morning of Jan. 28. He was Pascagoula, Miss., last week, where he toured Ingalls Shipbuilding. Mississippi Republican Rep. Steven Palazzo and Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith also took part in the shipyard tour.

“I am following my physician’s instructions and will quarantine for the next five days at a minimum in accordance with CDC guidelines,” Del Toro said in a statement. “During this time, I will attend key meetings and discussions virtually.” He added that Undersecretary Meredith Berger will represent him during his physical absence.

Del Toro said he is fully vaccinated and received a booster dose in October. He noted that his symptoms would have been much worse if he wasn’t triple vaccinated.