Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been tested positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, according to his office.
However, Abbott is not experiencing any symptoms and isolating at the Governor’s Mansion, according to spokesperson Mark Miner.
The governor is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment.
Miner said in a statement, “The Governor has been testing daily, and today was the first positive test result. Governor Abbott is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently.”
The spokesperson added, “Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today” has been informed of his positive test. Cecilia Abbott, the first lady of Texas, tested negative.
The COVID pandemic is affecting Texas again, as daily new cases and hospitalizations have reached levels that were not seen since the last wave in the winter.
Abbott has received national attention for refusing to fight the latest surge by allowing local governments and school districts to mandate masks or vaccines, according to FWBP.
He has kept up public appearances in recent days. On Monday night, he spoke at a GOP event in Collin County, later tweeting pictures of him addressing a maskless crowd.
Just three hours before he tested positive for COVID, he tweeted pictures of a meeting with guitarist Jimmie Vaughan.
Public health officials have been noticing breakthrough infections, like Abbott’s, but they said vaccines are still effective at reducing the severity of the virus.
Texans have lagged in getting the vaccine, with more than 45% fully vaccinated as of Sunday.
On Monday, the state reported more than 5,340 new cases, while over 11,790 were hospitalizations on Sunday.
Julián Castro, U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor, said, “Governor Abbott has put his own Republican primary politics before the public health since day one.”
“I hope he recovers quickly,” he added. “I also hope he will act more responsibly on behalf of Texas children and families.”
