US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on January 1.
The reason for the hospitalization was complications from a recent elective medical procedure, Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder said on January 5.
However, he did not specify exactly what procedure he was talking about, and why this was reported only on the fifth day.
They are watching now
— He is recovering well and plans to return to full duty today, — said Ryder.
And noted that the deputy head of the Pentagon is always ready to act on his behalf and exercise the appropriate powers if necessary.
Ryder soon told CNN why the Pentagon waited four days to inform the public about Austin's hospitalization:
— This was an evolving situation in which we had to consider a number of other factors, including medical and personal privacy issues.
According to him, the head of the Pentagon was supposed to return to his duties on Friday, but it is not yet known when he will be discharged from the hospital.
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