Supreme Courtroom Justice Brett Kavanaugh exams constructive for Covid days earlier than the brand new time period begins

Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh poses during a group photo of Supreme Court justices in Washington, April 23, 2021.

Erin Schaff | Pool | Reuters

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh has tested positive for the coronavirus, the court said on Friday, just three days before his next term begins.

The 56-year-old Kavanaugh showed no symptoms of the virus, the court said. He has been fully vaccinated against Covid since January.

As a precaution, Kavanaugh and his wife will not be attending an inauguration ceremony on Friday morning where the court will receive the commission from Judge Amy Coney Barrett as the bank’s latest addition, according to a press release.

On Wednesday, Kavanaugh took part in a three-mile charity street race in Washington.

Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh crosses the finish line during the ACLI Capital Challenge 3-Mile Team Race at Anacostia Park on Wednesday, September 29, 2021.

Tom Williams | CQ Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

The court’s testimony did not suggest that Kavanaugh’s test result would affect the start of the new term on Monday. The nine judges will personally hear oral arguments 19 months after the pandemic forced their trials to be held virtually.

A spokeswoman for the court did not immediately respond to a request for additional information.

Covid poses a greater health concern for older adults. Stephen Breyer, the oldest member of the court, is 83 years old. Three judges – Breyer, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito – are at least over 70 years old. Barrett is the youngest judge at 49 years old.

By March, all nine judges had been vaccinated against the virus.

Kavanaugh took a Covid test Thursday before Barrett’s inauguration ceremony, the court said. That evening, Kavanaugh was told that he had tested positive.

All judges, including Kavanaugh, had tested negative Monday morning before a private conference discussing adding new cases to the file, the court said.

Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters also tested negative on Thursday, according to the court.

Read the court’s full statement below:

On Thursday, Judge Kavanaugh had a routine Covid test prior to Judge Barrett’s inauguration on Friday, according to the court’s regular testing protocols. On Thursday evening, Judge Kavanaugh was informed that he had tested positive for Covid-19. He has no symptoms and has been fully vaccinated since January. According to the court’s current testing protocols, all judges were tested and tested negative on Monday morning prior to the conference, including Judge Kavanaugh. Judge Kavanaugh’s wife and daughters are also fully vaccinated and tested negative Thursday. As a precaution, Justice and Mrs. Kavanaugh will not attend Justice Barrett’s inauguration this morning.