WASHINGTON — Three Texas House Democrats have examined positive for COVID-19 in Washington, D.C., in line with Texas House Democratic Caucus management.

They’re amongst practically 60 lawmakers who fled the state Monday to interrupt quorum in the House, a part of an effort to dam the passage of a GOP-led elections invoice. Most members are staying in the identical resort.

One member came upon about their positive test consequence late Friday night, however they don’t have signs, caucus officers mentioned. All House lawmakers have been alerted and obtained a fast test instantly following the member’s positive consequence.

Two extra members examined positive in a fast test Saturday morning and one has gentle signs, the caucus mentioned.

The three who’ve examined positive on the fast assessments will obtain a PCR coronavirus test, a extra delicate and correct model of a COVID-19 test. The positive members will isolate for 10 days.

The three members are vaccinated. The caucus didn’t launch their names.

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There was a notable improve in using face coverings amongst lawmakers and Democratic staffers at their resort Saturday morning. Since members arrived late Monday, masks have been used sparingly as they moved by way of the foyer and held conferences across the metropolis.

“The House Democratic Caucus is following all CDC guidance and protocols,” Rep. Chris Turner, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement. “This is a sober reminder that COVID is still with us, and though vaccinations offer tremendous protection, we still must take necessary precautions. We are in touch with public health experts in Texas to provide additional guidance. Our caucus will follow all recommendations from public health experts as we continue our work.”

FILE – In this Thursday, July 8, 2021 file photograph, Texas Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington, speaks because the Democratic members of the Texas House collect after a recess in the opening day of a particular session in Austin, Texas. Three of the Democratic state lawmakers who fled Texas to stymie a Republican-backed effort to impose broad new voting restrictions have examined positive for COVID-19, the Texas House’s Democratic caucus mentioned Saturday, July 17, 2021.

The delta variant, a extremely contagious mutation of the coronavirus, has develop into the dominant pressure of COVID-19 in the United States. On Thursday, Travis County slid again to tightened restrictions after 4 circumstances of the variant have been confirmed in the Austin space.

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Unvaccinated individuals stay most susceptible to contracting the coronavirus and having a extra severe sickness. All Texas House Democrats have been vaccinated, the caucus mentioned.

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Rep. Donna Howard of Austin is a former important care nurse and consulted a public well being doctor to find out security protocols for Democrats on the bottom in Washington.

She mentioned lawmakers have adopted CDC pointers all through their journey – which state that absolutely vaccinated people don’t have to put on masks or observe social distancing except required by legislation or non-public regulation – and so they proceed to observe public well being pointers now that three positive circumstances have emerged inside their ranks.

“We have been following CDC guidelines and what we are seeing from this is that, as we’ve been told, the delta variant is more highly contagious, and can actually infect people who are fully vaccinated,” Howard mentioned in an interview. (*3*)

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As of July 14, the typical each day case fee for the previous seven days in Washington was 3.75 circumstances per 100,000 individuals and the town continued to be on the lowest part of unfold, in line with the town’s coronavirus tracker.

Texas Democrats have met with a slew of Capitol Hill Democrats this week, together with U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Vice President Kamala Harris additionally met with them on Tuesday.

Texas lawmakers handled a number of positive COVID-19 circumstances all through the common session in the Capitol. The first COVID-19 positive case got here three days after the Legislature convened, when Rep. Joe Deshotel, D-Beaumont. examined positive three days.

This article initially appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 3 Texas Democrats test positive for COVID-19 in Washington, D.C.



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