Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and chief of the Marine Corps test positive for COVID-19

WASHINGTON (AP) — Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley has tested positive for COVID-19 and has very minor symptoms, a spokesperson said Monday. The Marine Corps said its commanding officer, Gen. David Berger, also had COVID-19.

Milley, who received the vaccine and a booster shot, tested positive on Sunday, Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Col. Dave Butler said in a statement. Milley was self-isolating and working remotely from a location where he can perform all of his tasks, Butler said.

The Marine Corps said in a statement that Berger also tested positive, giving no further details except to say his ability to work was not affected. Other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have tested negative, Butler said.

Milley’s most recent contact with President Joe Biden was on Wednesday at the funeral of General Raymond Odierno, who died of cancer in October. Milley, 63, tested negative several days before contact with Biden and every day after until Sunday, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff statement.

Earlier this month, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he had tested positive for COVID-19 and had mild symptoms while quarantined at home. Austin, who said he was fully vaccinated and received a booster in October, tested negative about a week later.

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