Doug Emhoff, the husband of vice president Kamala Harris, tested positive for COVID-19 and is sheltering in isolation.
It's the latest health news to rock the White House, which has been engulfed in crisis over questions about President Joe Biden's fitness.
In a statement, Emhoff's spokesperson said he is in isolation with "mild" symptoms. The spokesperson emphasized that he "is fully vaccinated and three times boosted."
"Yesterday, the Second Gentleman tested positive for COVID-19 after experiencing mild symptoms," Liza Acevedo, Emhoff's communications director, said.
"He is fully vaccinated and three times boosted. He is currently asymptomatic, continuing to work remotely, and remaining away from others at home."
The vice president took a COVID test "out of an abundance of caution" and it came up negative.
"Out of an abundance of caution, yesterday, the Vice President was tested for COVID-19. She tested negative and remains asymptomatic," Acevedo added.
Emhoff was at a July 4th celebration at the White House with Kamala Harris, Joe Biden and Jill Biden.
Biden contracted COVID-19 in July 2022. He later experienced a "rebound" infection after he was treated with the antiviral drug Paxlovid.
During the first half of his term, Biden faced strong pushback for his efforts to forcibly vaccinate Americans. The COVID pandemic has largely receded as a public concern, but nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy runs high. Democrats fear that such sentiments could help elect Donald Trump. Those fears have worsened since Biden's disastrous debate performance last month.
Kamala Harris has been the target of rampant speculation as Biden faces pressure to step down. His refusal to bow out has caused frustration among Democrats who fear he will lose re-election and drag the party down ballot.
During an ABC News interview last weekend, Biden declined to take a cognitive exam and asserted that his job tests his faculties "every day."
Throughout his presidency, Biden has been repeatedly described as "fit for duty" by the White House physician. Kamala Harris is seen by many as Biden's logical replacement because she is his direct successor and would allow Democrats to avoid a messy convention fight.
Emhoff has been a largely invisible player compared to his wife, who has garnered scrutiny over the years for spewing "word salad" on various subjects.
