Irish Prime Minister tested positive for COVID-19 before meeting Biden

Washington, March 17, Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday evening, and it is unlikely that he will meet US President Joe Biden as planned at the White House Oval Office this Thursday. The Embassy of Ireland in Washington reported on Wednesday afternoon that Martin had passed a negative antigen test, but after that he was tested for PCR and the result was positive. Martin visited the Irish Gala on Wednesday evening at the National Museum of Architecture in downtown Washington, but was forced to leave the event in a hurry when he discovered that he was infected with the virus. The US ambassador to Ireland, Daniel Malhall, was responsible for explaining why the prime minister was unexpectedly absent, and Margaret Brennan, a journalist on CBS Twitter, visited the Gala concern. Biden gave a speech during the gala, but did not have direct contact with the Prime Minister of Ireland, a senior US official told CBS. Martin was scheduled to meet Biden on Thursday at the White House Oval Office on St. Patrick's Day, which the United States uses to celebrate the Irish heritage. Later, Martin and Biden attended a meeting organized by the Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. On Thursday night, the President of the United States and First Lady Jill Biden attended another event to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Prime Minister of Ireland and his wife, Mary Martin. The White House has not yet announced a change in Biden's official schedule.