3 Texas Democrats, who travelled to Washington, tests positive for COVID-19

Three Texas House Democrats, who travelled to Washington this week, have returned positive COVID-19 results, the Texas House Democratic Caucus said in a statement Saturday. 

The lawmakers were among a group of 60 Democrats travelling from Austin to Washington to break the state House’s quorum and prevent Republicans from adopting a new voting law that will restrict voting rights.

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All of the members who tested positive were fully vaccinated, according to the caucus. However, their identity wasn’t revealed in Saturday’s statement.

One member tested positive on Friday night, but they do not have symptoms, caucus officials said. But it prompted all caucus members and staff to take a rapid COVID-19 test. On Saturday, two more members tested positive with rapid tests. One has mild symptoms, caucus leadership said, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

The three who tested positive on the rapid tests will receive a PCR coronavirus test, a more sensitive and accurate version of a COVID-19 test. The positive members will isolate for 10 days before taking a follow-up test, according to a memo obtained by the American-Statesman.   

Meanwhile, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chairman Chris Turner said in the statement that his group is following US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and protocols, which says fully-vaccinated individuals don’t need to wear masks or practice social distancing unless required by law or private regulation.

Fully vaccinated people who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not showing symptoms do not need to quarantine or get tested for the virus following their exposure, according to the current CDC guidance, unless they are in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter.  

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Representative Chris Turner, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, said, “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.”

While in Washington this week, members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus met with Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as with members of Congress, including West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin. However, there is still no information on whether the members who tested positive were involved in the meetings.