WASHINGTON, USA – Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following update on Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin’s health status:
“Secretary Austin currently remains hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and is in good condition. He is recovering well and in good spirits. He is no longer in the Intensive Care Unit and is recovering in a more private area of the hospital. He continues to experience discomfort but his prognosis is good.
“Since resuming his duties on Friday evening, secretary Austin has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance. He remains in contact with his senior staff. He has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD’s day-to-day operations worldwide.
Today, secretary Austin spoke with deputy secretary of defense Hicks and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during separate phone calls. He also took an operational update from the US Central Command commander Gen. Erik Kurilla along with deputy secretary Hicks and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.”