The coronavirus pandemic reared its head in the Capitol again on Thursday, with three sitting senators announcing they have tested positive for COVID-19.
The trio are the latest to suffer 'breakthrough' infections despite being vaccinated.
Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi was the first to announce a positive test on Thursday. He is currently in isolation, his spokesperson said Thursday. Soon after Wicker's announcement, Sen. Angus King, a Maine independent who caucuses with Democrats, announced he, too, had tested positive.
That was followed by yet a third announcement, by Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper of Colorado
'I've tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19. I feel good but will isolate per docs instructions, Hickenlooper tweeted. 'I’m grateful for the vaccine (& the scientists behind it!) for limiting my symptoms. If you haven’t gotten your shot—get it today! And a booster when it’s available too!' he wrote.
'Senator Wicker tested positive this morning for the COVID-19 virus after immediately seeking a test due to mild symptoms,' his communications director, Phillip Waller, said in a statement.
Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has tested positive for the coronavirus, his office announced
'Senator Wicker is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, is in good health, and is being treated by his Tupelo-based physician. He is isolating, and everyone with whom Senator Wicker has come in close contact recently has been notified.'
The trio of positive hits comes weeks after the Capitol Physician issued new mask requirements for the House – but softer guidance for the Senate, where more lawmakers received vaccines. Many House Republicans have flaunted mask requirements, and vaccination rates are believed to be far lower than in the Senate.
'All individuals should wear a well-fitted, medical-grade filtration mask (for example an ear loop surgical mask or a KN95 mask) when they are in an interior space and other individuals are present,' Dr. Brian Moynihan wrote in his late June recommendations for the Senate amid the spread of the Delta variant.
The Senate held votes last Tuesday and Wednesday on an infrastructure bill and a budget resolution. Wicker is pictured center-left, speaking to Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.)
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) leaves the floor of the Senate following a round of votes on August 8, 2021 in Washington, DC. He was among three senators testing positive for COVID-19 Thursday
For the House and its office buildings, he wrote: 'wearing of a well-fitted, medical grade, filtration face mask is required when an individual is in an interior space and other individuals are present.'
The Senate passed President Biden's infrastructure bill on Tuesday, August 10th, which would have been the last time all the men were in the same room. It was not immediately known if they were on the floor at the same time.
The Senate also continued numerous amendments to the budget resolution in the tradition known as vote-a-rama, bringing lawmakers from both parties together on the Senate floor. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) skipped those votes due to his own positive diagnosis.
Wicker is 70. He was appointed to the U.S. Senate in 2007 after fellow Republican Trent Lott stepped down. Wicker was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 after having served in the state Senate.
He is the second vaccinated senator, after South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, to test positive for the virus, amid the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant.
Wicker's state is the second worst nationwide when it comes to vaccination rates, with less than 50 per cent of adults fully vaccinated.
The Senate is currently away on recess until September.
'Breakthrough' infections among vaccinated people are relatively rare, although top federal health officials warned Wednesday that vaccines are showing diminishing effectiveness over time, and recommended Americans get booster shots eight months after their last shot.
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) laughs while speaking with U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) inside the U.S. Capitol US Senate passes the 1 trillion US dollar bipartisan infrastructure package, Washington DC, August 10th
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) previously announced he had tested positive for the virus, despite being vaccinated. Wicker's is the second 'breakthrough' infection among a vaccinated senator
King tweeted out information about his situation Thursday. 'Despite taking precautions and receiving the vaccine, this morning I tested positive for COVID-19. While I am not feeling great, I'm definitely feeling much better than I would have without the vaccine,' King wrote.
'Senator King took the test as a precaution after he began feeling under the weather yesterday,' according to his office.
'Since COVID-19 first reached our shores last March, I have worked to follow the professional guidance and take all precautions necessary to protect myself, my loved ones, my staff, and my community both here in Maine and in Washington,' King said.
King contracted the virus despite taking numerous precautions, including road-trips back and forth to Main, he said.
'This has meant masks, social distancing, a work-from-home mindset for myself and my team, driving up and back to Maine dozens of times rather than flying until only recently, Zoom calls instead of attending Senate hearings in person, voting quickly on the floor while remaining masked, regular testing for me and my staff, and receiving the vaccinations when it was my turn to get them earlier this year. None of these were convenient, but nor were they onerous; my actions were a part of being a responsible member of the community and listening to the medical professionals who spend years to become masters of their science and keep us alive and healthy.
'Despite all my efforts, when I began feeling mildly feverish yesterday, I took a test this morning at my doctor's suggestion, and it came back positive. While I am not feeling great, I'm definitely feeling much better than I would have without the vaccine. I am taking this diagnosis very seriously, quarantining myself at home and telling the few people I've been in contact with to get tested in order to limit any further spread,' he added.
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