Deputy defense secretary not told of Lloyd Austin hospitalization when she assumed his duties, officials confirm

Washington — The deputy secretary of defense was not told that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been hospitalized when she assumed some of his duties on Tuesday, two defense officials confirmed to CBS News. 

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks was informed of Austin's hospitalization on Thursday, the officials said. Hicks was in Puerto Rico and returned Saturday, according to one of the officials. 

Austin has been hospitalized since Jan. 1 due to complications following a minor elective medical procedure, the Pentagon said Friday in its first acknowledgment of the hospitalization. Austin was in the ICU, according to an administration official.