INTERNATIONAL: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on has announced on Sunday, 2 January, he had tested positive for COVID-19, as the highly infwectious Omicron variant sweeps the United States. Austin's symptoms were "mild" and he will quarantine at home for the next five days, the Pentagon chief said in a statement.

In a statement, Austin said he requested a test earlier on Sunday after having symptoms while at home on vacation.

He said he last met President Joe Biden on Tuesday, December 21, more than a week before he started experiencing symptoms.

Austin said he is fully vaccinated and boosted, which had "rendered the infection much milder than it would otherwise have been."

"The vaccines work and will remain a military medical requirement for our workforce," Austin said. "I continue to encourage everyone eligible for a booster shot to get one."

He will retain all authority and attend key meetings and discussions virtually "to the degree possible," he said in the statement.

Austin is the latest high-profile US official to contract Covid-19 as the Omicron variant drives a record surge in infections. Several prominent members of Congress recently revealed they had tested positive for the virus. Biden's press secretary Jen Psaki contracted Covid-19 in October.