Poli Alert Political & Civics
Related Articles
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh tested positive Thursday for COVID-19, just three days before the court is set to convene for its first day of arguments in its next term, according to a statement from the nation’s highest court.
Kavanaugh underwent testing ahead of a formal investiture ceremony scheduled Friday for Justice Amy Coney Barrett. He and the court’s other justices were previously tested for COVID-19 on Monday and all tested negative, officials said.
“He has no symptoms and has been fully vaccinated since January,” the court’s statement read. “Justice Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters are also fully vaccinated, and they tested negative on Thursday. As a precaution, Justice and Mrs. Kavanaugh will not attend Justice Barrett’s investiture this morning.”
All of the other justices were present for Barrett’s ceremonial swearing-in, which had been delayed because of the pandemic.
Research has shown that fully vaccinated people can spread the highly transmissible delta variant of COVID-19; however, officials have noted that vaccination protects well against severe and life-threatening symptoms of the viral infection.
The court’s new term begins on Monday, and the justices are returning to the courtroom to hear arguments after an 18-month absence because of the coronavirus pandemic. They had been hearing arguments via telephone.
