US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was hospitalized on January 1 due to complications from a medical procedure, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said, Paralel.Az reports citing TASS.

"On the evening of January 1, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for complications following a recent elective medical procedure," the spokesman said in a statement. Ryder pointed out that the secretary is recovering and has returned to full duties since January 5.