A growing number of journalists and prominent Democrats have tested positive for coronavirus after a Saturday night dinner party at the elite Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C., turned into a superspreader event. On Wednesday, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced a positive test result just hours after he wrapped up a news conference with FBI Director Christopher Wray and other top-ranking Justice Department officials. Also testing positive: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo; Jamal Simmons, communications director for Vice President Harris; and Congressmembers Joaquin Castro and Adam Schiff. Attendees at Saturday’s dinner needed to show proof of vaccination but were not required to provide a negative COVID test.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy appeared in public Wednesday for the first time in five days after isolating at home with COVID-19. Murphy, who narrowly defeated a Republican challenger to win reelection last November, was one of the first Democratic governors to urge a rollback of mask mandates and other pandemic health measures.