Kavanaugh tests positive for COVID-19, has no symptoms

Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday evening tested positive for COVID-19 but was without symptoms of illness, a Supreme Court spokesperson said.

Kavanaugh, 56, has been fully vaccinated since January, making his a so-called breakthrough case. His last negative test came Monday prior to the justices’ in-person conference.

Kavanaugh tested positive after undergoing another round of testing Thursday ahead of a Friday investiture ceremony for Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Kavanaugh and his wife will not attend Barrett’s ceremony, the court spokesperson said, adding that Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters are also fully vaccinated and tested negative Thursday.

It was not immediately clear if Kavanaugh would be absent Monday when the Supreme Court’s new term officially opens and the justices sit for their first in-person arguments since March 2020.