This past Monday, an announcement from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) went out stating that he has tested positive for COVID.
Manchin shared the announcement via his social media accounts.
“This morning I tested positive for COVID-19,” stated Manchin via social media. “I am fully vaccinated and boosted and am experiencing mild symptoms. I will isolate and follow CDC guidelines as I continue to work remotely to serve West Virginians.”
This morning I tested positive for COVID-19. I am fully vaccinated and boosted and am experiencing mild symptoms. I will isolate and follow CDC guidelines as I continue to work remotely to serve West Virginians.
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) July 25, 2022
This announcement from the senator is just the most recent in a series of several positive coronavirus tests among the nation’s lawmakers, which includes President Joe Biden, who ended up announcing a positive test just last week.
Within the Senate, both Democratic Sens. Tina Smith (MN) and Tom Carper (DE) also recently sported positive tests for COVID. If even more senators test positive and end up not being able to vote on bills, it could impact upcoming bills in the 50-50 chamber.
Carper tested positive on the 21st of July and could end up heading back to the Senate later this week.
I am grateful to be fully vaccinated and double boosted and I am thankfully feeling fine. I continue to urge all Delawareans to get vaccinated and boosted to protect yourselves and your families from the worst of this pandemic.
— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) July 21, 2022
As of the 20th of July, Smith tested positive but could end up headed back to the Senate as early as Tuesday if their symptoms get better and she ends up testing negative.
Tonight I tested positive for COVID and am experiencing mild symptoms. I am following the CDC’s guidelines, and I am incredibly grateful to be vaccinated and boosted. Looking forward to getting back to the Senate as soon as possible.
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) July 20, 2022
Currently, the Senate is scheduled to vote on a measure about health care this week coming week that would end up dropping the prices of prescription drugs and increase the level of funding available through the Affordable Care Act.
The guidelines from the CDC currently sport a clause marking a necessary five-day isolation period if symptoms improve. The requirements will end up keeping him away from Senate sessions for at least this particular week.
This past Sunday, the personal doctor for Biden shared a note that reported that the president’s coronavirus infection condition is getting “significantly” better.
Dr. Kevin O’Connor issued the note that was published by the White House on Sunday. On Thursday, Biden tested positive for the virus. O’Connor stated on Saturday that the president has the BA.5 variant, as reported by the Associated Press.
Both the BA.4 and BA.5 are labeled as offshoots of the extremely contagious Omicron variant and have been responsible for most of the recent cases throughout the U.S.
“Currently, many Americans are under-vaccinated, meaning they are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines,” stated the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, earlier this month as part of a briefing from the COVID response team that called on the American public to make sure they stayed up to date on vaccinations.
“Not all people over the age of 50 have received their first booster dose. Of those who have received their first booster dose, only 28 percent of those over 50 have received a second booster dose. And of those over 65, only 34 percent have received their second booster dose,” she stated.