Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Tests Positive for COVID

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New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has tested positive for COVID-19 and is “experiencing symptoms and recovering at home.”

Her office issued a statement on Sunday evening, which was posted on her Twitter account. The Democrat received her booster shot in the fall and “encourages everyone to get their booster and follow all CDC guidance.”

Ocasio-Cortez was the fourth case among U.S. representatives announced on Saturday, according to The Hill. Jim Cooper, D-TN, Sean Casten, D-IL, and Young Kim, R-CA, also announced they tested positive for COVID-19.

Numerous members of Congress have reported breakthrough COVID-19 cases despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, according to The Associated Press.

Sen. Rob Portman, R-OH, said last week that he had tested positive on an at-home test but didn’t have symptoms and felt “fine,” the AP reported.

More than 100 members of Congress have gotten COVID-19 since the pandemic began, according to CBS News. In a Jan. 3 memo, the Capitol’s attending doctor, Brian Monahan, MD, said the positivity rate among lawmakers jumped from 1% to 13% and recommended telework when possible.

“Congressional offices, committees and agencies should immediately review their operations to adopt a maximal telework posture to reduce in-person meetings and in-office activities to the maximum extent possible,” he wrote in the memo.

“Electronic means to facilitate all-virtual or hybrid-type meetings or hearings should be emphasized,” he wrote. “Any group activity indoors should promote strict mask-wear compliance.”

Sources

Twitter: @RepAOC, Jan. 9, 2022.

The Hill: “Ocasio-Cortez tests positive for breakthrough COVID-19 case.”

The Associated Press: “NY Rep. Ocasio-Cortez recovering after positive COVID test.”

CBS News: “Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tests positive for COVID-19.”

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