Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin tested positive for covid-19 last night in Washington, which is why he had to leave the gala reception attended by US President Joe Biden, the Irish ambassador to the US said.
However, the US president is not considered a "contact person" and his virus testing protocol will not change, the White House said. Biden was tested for the last time on Sunday when the result was negative, said his spokeswoman Jen Psaki in a recent address to the press.
Michael Martin and Joe Biden were supposed to celebrate St. Patrick's Day together today, a popular Irish holiday with several events, notably a ceremony at the White House, which is now being called into question.
The Irish prime minister, who was sitting next to Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, during the gala dinner, had to leave the building where the dinner was being held when he learned the test result.
Biden, who constantly emphasizes his Irish family roots, gave a speech at the event.
Instead of the Irish Prime Minister, the Irish Ambassador to the USA Daniel Mulhall gave a speech on behalf of Ireland.
The Irish prime minister is feeling well and resting at Blair House, the official residence for high-ranking officials of the US president.
There is currently at least one more case of covid-19 in the environment of the American president, and it is the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, Doug Emhof, who tested positive for the virus on Tuesday.
Even then, Biden was not considered a contact person. For it to be considered according to the definition of the US health authorities, at least 15 minutes should be spent near an infected person.
Yesterday, the World Health Organization expressed concern over the growing number of covid cases in the world.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
