Irish prime minister's COVID case scrambles St. Patrick's Day plans in Washington

President Joe Biden had to meet with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin virtually Thursday for St. Patrick's Day after Martin tested positive for COVID-19.

President Joe Biden met virtually with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin Thursday after Martin tested positive for COVID-19, scrambling holiday plans in Washington and hopes that St. Patrick's Day traditions would return in-person after two years.

"I'm really, deeply sorry for the inconvenience, that we have to meet virtually again this year -- although I did at a little distance for seven-and-a-half minutes get to see you yesterday and your beautiful wife, but especially after flying all the way here to Washington, with a lot going on up in the Hill and the rest," Biden said, speaking to the Taoiseach over video, seated next to a screen in the Oval Office.

Biden said the two leaders were meeting "in a moment when demands on unity in the world are really accelerating."

Martin, who has isolated across the street from the White House at the Blair House, where the Irish flag is on display, used his positive diagnosis to promote vaccinations.