U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who was hospitalized on January 1, is on the mend and ready to quickly return to work. President Joe Biden was unaware of the health condition of the Pentagon chief for several days, according to the Pentagon’s website. “I want to thank the amazing doctors and nursing staff at Walter Reed for the exceptional care they have delivered to me and for the personal warmth they have shown my family. I also appreciate all the outreach and well wishes from colleagues and friends. I am very glad to be on the mend and look forward to returning to the Pentagon soon,…